We’ve come a long way since “Pokémon Go to the Polls.” Though politicians themselves are no more social media savvy than they were a decade ago — with the notable exception of Vice President J.D. Vance — their advisors are much improved. The second Trump administration has adopted a communications style directly downstream of anonymous online “posters.”
One such anonymous individual, screen name “Ricky Vaughn,” real name Douglass Mackey, posted a little too hard for the government’s liking. Days after former President Joe Biden took office, Mackey was charged by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with election interference. Mackey was convicted in March 2023 based on three memes he posted or reposted before the 2016 election. He was sentenced to seven months in prison. There is a happy ending to this story. Mackey’s right to meme, and yours, has been restored in full by a federal court. But there’s more to his conviction than meets the eye. The case against Mackey was set in motion by a top Trump appointee. (RELATED: Pardoned Jan 6. Protester Gets Retribution, Courtesy Of Trump)
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