Mad Men actor Jon Hamm has become the latest celebrity to be inadvertently featured in a White House advertisement, sparking widespread discussion online. The 20-second clip, shared on Saturday evening, used a scene of Hamm dancing euphorically in a club while referencing President Donald Trump’s recent claim that the United States is “the hottest country in the world.”
The ad’s tweet read: “ALL WE NEEDED WAS A NEW PRESIDENT,” a phrase that quickly drew attention for its unusual pairing with the actor, a known Democrat who has publicly endorsed and campaigned for Democratic candidates. Hamm has yet to comment on the ad, leaving many social media users questioning the White House’s creative choices.
A Surreal Visual: Trump, AI, and Jon Hamm
The video opens with what appears to be an AI-generated image of Trump smiling in a crowded room bathed in blue light. Above him, a caption reads: “When someone says America is the hottest country anywhere in the world.” As the president turns his head, his face morphs into Hamm’s, taken from a scene in Apple TV’s Your Friends and Neighbors. In this clip, Hamm dances with his eyes closed to Kato’s 2010 hit “Turn the Lights Off,” a scene that has gone viral as a meme on social media.
The surreal transformation of Trump into Hamm is both jarring and humorous, creating an odd juxtaposition between political messaging and pop culture. The ad then fades into a dark background featuring an outline of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and a U.S. flag, overlaid with the text: “The White House. Donald J. Trump.”
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The Political Context
The video’s caption references a phrase frequently used by Trump, who has repeatedly touted that the United States is the “hottest” country in the world since returning to the White House in January. During a recent address on the economy, Trump stated:
“One year ago, our country was dead. We were absolutely dead. Our country was ready to fail. Totally fail. Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world. And that’s said by every single leader that I’ve spoken to over the last five months.”
The timing of the video’s release is notable. It came just one day after the Justice Department’s deadline to release the entirety of the Epstein Files, which have been the subject of intense scrutiny. Lawmakers have criticized the DOJ for heavily redacting the materials and missing the deadline without explanation.
DOJ Misses Deadline, Controversy Mounts
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche admitted on Fox News that the DOJ failed to release all the requested records on time. “I expect that we’re going to release more documents over the next couple of weeks, so today, several hundred thousand, and then over the next couple of weeks, I expect several hundred thousand more,” Blanche said.
Social media users were quick to link the ad to the Epstein Files controversy. Many suggested that the clip promoting Trump’s success was an attempt to distract the public from the ongoing scandal. Memes and tweets flooded social media platforms, mocking the video and calling for full transparency on the Epstein documents. One user created an image styled like a “Now That’s What I Call Music!” album, captioned: “Now that’s what I call a distraction from the Epstein Files.” Others posted images of redacted documents, urging: “RELEASE ALL EPSTEIN FILES NOW” or quipping, “Yeah, we still need a new President.”
Celebrities and Political Ads: A History
The White House has a history of using celebrities in its ads, sometimes sparking backlash. Earlier this month, the administration used snippets of pop star Sabrina Carpenter’s music in a video promoting deportations, just days after Carpenter criticized the use of her song Juno, calling the ad “evil and disgusting.” The White House subsequently removed the clip.
Similarly, Olivia Rodrigo condemned the Trump administration after the Department of Homeland Security posted an Instagram video using her song All-American B**** to promote deportation efforts. Rodrigo labeled the ad as “racist, hateful propaganda,” and her comment was later taken down.
The repeated use of celebrity content—sometimes without consent—highlights the tension between political messaging and intellectual property rights in the digital age. It also demonstrates the risks of AI and viral content being used in politically sensitive campaigns.
Public Reaction and Social Media Response
The Jon Hamm ad has garnered significant attention online, with the 20-second clip accumulating over 1 million views on X as of Sunday morning. Public reaction has been a mix of humor, confusion, and criticism. Many pointed out the incongruity of a Democratic actor promoting content that appears to praise Trump. In contrast, others speculated that the ad’s timing and style were deliberate attempts to shift attention from ongoing controversies.
Users shared memes referencing the ad’s bizarre visual choices, particularly the face-morphing of Trump into Hamm. The combination of AI-generated imagery, viral pop culture content, and political messaging has created a surreal viewing experience that has dominated social media discussions for days.
Implications for Political Marketing
The ad underscores the growing role of AI and viral internet culture in political marketing. While these tools can generate engagement and attention, they also carry risks, particularly when celebrities or public figures are involved without explicit consent. Legal experts note that such usage can lead to disputes over copyright, image rights, and potential defamation claims.
Political campaigns increasingly rely on short, highly shareable videos to capture audiences’ attention, but the Hamm ad demonstrates that this strategy can backfire when context and messaging are misaligned. Using a celebrity who actively supports the opposing party, for instance, opens the campaign to public ridicule and criticism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the White House use Jon Hamm in an ad?
The White House featured a viral clip of Jon Hamm dancing, likely to grab attention, though he is a known Democrat.
Did Jon Hamm approve the ad?
No. Hamm has not publicly commented, and the clip appears to have been used without his consent.
What was shown in the ad?
The 20-second video used an AI-generated image of Trump transforming into Hamm dancing in a club scene from Your Friends and Neighbors.
When was the ad released?
It was posted on social media on Saturday evening and quickly went viral, reaching over 1 million views.
Why is the ad controversial?
Critics argue that it misrepresents Hamm’s political stance and distracts from ongoing issues, including the release of the Epstein Files.
Has the White House used other celebrities before?
Yes. Previously, it used Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo in ads, sparking backlash for unauthorized use of their music.
What does this ad say about political marketing today?
It shows how AI and viral content are used in campaigns, but the misuse of celebrity images can cause public backlash.
Conclusion
The White House’s Jon Hamm ad highlights the growing influence of AI, social media, and pop culture in political messaging. While it captured widespread attention, it also sparked controversy over the unauthorized use of a Democratic actor and the video’s surreal nature. This incident underscores the risks of blending viral content with political campaigns, where missteps can quickly overshadow intended messaging.
