State Representative Jolanda Jones, a Democrat from Texas, launched a scathing attack on President Donald Trump, accusing him of using AI-generated content to further his political agenda while undermining critical social welfare programs. Her remarks were made during a tense period of government shutdown, which has left millions of Americans dependent on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on the brink of losing their benefits. Jones criticized Trump for sharing a manipulated video of him in a fighter jet over New York City, where he appeared to be unloading what looked like feces on protesters. She described the incident as a ‘shameful manipulation’ of food assistance, arguing that it demonstrated the president’s willingness to prioritize political gains over vulnerable populations.
Jones, who is running for a U.S. House seat in Houston following the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner, tied Trump’s actions to the broader ramifications of the government shutdown. She warned that the potential cutoff of SNAP funding would have severe consequences for low-income families, calling it a ‘death sentence’ for those relying on the program. This came as federal judges in two states ordered the Trump administration to continue providing SNAP benefits, using emergency funds to prevent a full shutdown. However, the exact method of distributing benefits remains uncertain, and the administration has stated it will only fund half of the program in November, citing the ongoing political stalemate.
The controversy over Trump’s AI-generated video has sparked broader criticism, with Jones labeling him a ‘troll’ for using the technology to mock protesters and undermine constitutional rights. Despite the backlash, Trump has continued to defend his actions, with a recent social media post suggesting that SNAP benefits would only be restored once ‘the Radical Left Democrats open up government.’ The White House has yet to comment on the incident, leaving the public and critics in a state of uncertainty. Meanwhile, Jones has pledged to confront Trump directly, vowing to fight for policies that address pressing social issues like affordable housing rather than engage in political theater. Her campaign has defended her statements, insisting that her comments were metaphorical and not meant to be taken literally, as an attempt to clarify what she meant by ‘hitting hard.’