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Donald Trump Jr. weirded social media users out after he claimed that fans of Disney'sThe Little Mermaid "truly want to see" his father, former Republican President Donald Trump, in the leading role of Ariel.
Walt Disney Studios' live-action adaptation of the 1989 animated classic has been subject to a racist backlash since the studio released a trailer for the upcoming film featuring Chloe x Halle singer Halle Bailey—who is Black—in the titular role.
Trump Jr.'s post—originally shared to Instagram—can be seen below.
\u201cDon\u2019t do drugs kids.\u201d— Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1663383770
The racist backlash against Disney is nothing new.
The studio had to contend with significant anger online from people who threatened to boycott the film once Bailey was cast in 2019. The release of the official trailer, however, has reignited that same backlash.
The studio has defended Bailey, saying that after a long search, it was "abundantly clear" that Bailey "possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role."
Bailey herself has received praise from none other than Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original film and said how "proud" she is of Bailey in an Instagram Story.
The film remains highly anticipated despite the controversy, and one thing is for sure: Pretty much no one wants to see former President Trump leading it.
Twitter users were quick to call out the absurdity.
\u201cThis can't be serious...but again it doesn't surprise me if it is.\u201d— doreen garfield (@doreen garfield) 1663552311
\u201cAre you kidding me\u201d— Karen Price (@Karen Price) 1663402251
\u201chttps://t.co/jucjJkRyzd\u201d— WHO~ \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@WHO~ \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1663463634
\u201cMAGAts are really crazy...\ud83e\udd23\u201d— nanuq \ud83d\udc3b\u200d\u2744\ufe0f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (she/they) (@nanuq \ud83d\udc3b\u200d\u2744\ufe0f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (she/they)) 1663430241
\u201cI need to UNSEE this! \ud83d\ude33 @DonaldTrumpJrA1\u201d— \u2b50\ufe0fColorsOfTheWind\u2b50\ufe0f (@\u2b50\ufe0fColorsOfTheWind\u2b50\ufe0f) 1663436963
\u201cSo, are @DonaldJTrumpJr & the @GOP cool w/ his daddy dressing as a drag queen or transitioning into a woman, because I thought they frowned upon both? #TheLittleMermaid\u201d— Nikki '78 \ud83c\udfd6\u2600\ufe0f (@Nikki '78 \ud83c\udfd6\u2600\ufe0f) 1663437054
\u201cSo Jr supports his dad dressing in drag?\u201d— Shell (@Shell) 1663485779
\u201cWhat is wrong with @DonaldJTrumpJr? It\u2019s not funny anymore.\u201d— Amy Roark (@Amy Roark) 1663391595
\u201cDear Lord, WHY?!\u201d— That Not Tania's Soulmate cute girl!\u2648 (@That Not Tania's Soulmate cute girl!\u2648) 1663395724
Trump Jr. has in the past been criticized for posting doctored images and video clips of his father, though those have typically featured Trump taking on political rivals.
In 2018, he was widely mocked after he commemorated Independence Day by posting a mock-up of his father in Revolutionary War garb holding a bald eagle.
Trump Jr. also had social media users scratching their heads last year after he posted a video that repurposes a dinner scene from the 1989 film National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation by showing his father popping out of President Joe Biden's turkey and dancing to The Village People's "Y.M.C.A."