As we mark a week into Donald J. Trump’s second term (can it really be that long?), it’s time to explore how younger voters are responding to his renewed leadership.

Despite a decline in voter turnout among those aged 18 to 29 in 2024 compared to 2020 (down to 42% from 50%), Trump has actually made significant gains across various youth demographics. Support among young women soared from 33% in 2020 to 41% in 2024, while young men’s approval jumped from 41% to 55%. In other words, a substantial portion of young voters appear to be on board with the president—at least half of them. The remaining half isn’t pleased and are expressing their discontent through memes, a fresh perspective, and digital activism.

Fortunately, this week also features some entertaining content beyond political discussions. The quirky character Mr. Washee Washee from Family Guy has taken the internet by storm, and a viral video connected to the popular children’s game Poppy Playtime has caught the attention of many—including those puzzled by its premise.

Youth Protest Trump in Style with “Cute Winter Boots”

Following Trump’s first election in 2016, the youth-driven #resistance movement emerged, initially through social media and later leading to mass marches and protests that attracted millions. Fast forward to 2024, and the landscape appears quite different.

On platforms like TikTok, youth activists are using phrases like “cute winter boots” to “combat ICE,” a secretive signal among those opposing Trump’s immigration policies. This clever phrasing serves as a covert way to indicate dissatisfaction with the administration’s deportation efforts, turning “wear cute winter boots” into a metaphorical objection against ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

Rather than adopting more explicit statements against Trump, activists believe “cute winter boots” might slip past the various content moderation algorithms, leading to creative videos that include hidden messages such as “kill the CIStem.”

While the ingenuity behind this resistance is commendable, it might strike some as overly simplistic or cringeworthy, a reflection of how youth culture navigates current events—often enhanced by the cringe factor itself.

Understanding the “Dark Woke Movement” Spurred by Trump

Although the “cute winter boots” phenomenon may not gain traction, there is a rise in a trend dubbed “dark woke.” This term broadly entails observing negative consequences for Trump voters and feeling little empathy. For example, if a relative experiences the financial burden of inflated prices due to immigration policy, a member of this movement might retort, “Ha, serves you right! Maybe you should have advocated for Harris!”

Such sentiments are reflected in communities on platforms like Reddit, notably in subreddits such as r/LeopardsAteMyFace and r/Trumpgrets.

This trend may seem toxic and counterproductive, as it’s unlikely that voters will acknowledge any regrets no matter the circumstances. However, what else can they do in response to the status quo?

Reddit Users Rally Against Elon Musk’s X

The online communities on Reddit are reacting to Elon Musk’s connections with Trump following a peculiar gesture during the inauguration, prompting several subreddits to ban links to Musk’s platform, X.

Notable subreddits joining this movement include r/NBA with 15 million members, r/TwoXChromosomes hosting 14 million, and r/NFL with 12 million members.

The Curious Case of Mr. Washee Washee and the “How Do I Get Him Off?” Meme

Shifting topics away from politics, a trending meme involving Mr. Washee Washee, a one-off character from The Family Guy, warrants some explanation. The character appeared on the show back in 2011 and is now experiencing a resurgence on social media.

However, the real sensation stems from a viral post on X by @boolymen, which has garnered over a million views:

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This humorous post showcases Mr. Washee Washee seemingly ensnared in music software FL Studios, accompanied by the question, “how do I get him off?” This resonates with anyone who’s helped relatives navigate technology, implying that Mr. Washee Washee has disrupted the project all on his own. The comedic potential exploded online as users began offering playful solutions to this query, enabling fans to insert Mr. Washee Washee into various contexts and ask the same question. For instance, he could appear on a web browser or a social media profile.

This Week’s Viral Hit: Poppy Playtime Chapter 4 Gameplay Trailer

The newly released trailer for the fourth installment of the Poppy Playtime series has rapidly accumulated nearly seven million views within just three days. These games have gained immense popularity among younger audiences, yet they often leave older viewers puzzled. Here’s a brief overview:

Inspired heavily by Five Nights at Freddy’s, Poppy Playtime offers puzzle-driven survival horror experiences tailored for younger gamers. The storyline revolves around a player investigating the unethical practices of Playtime Co., a toy manufacturer responsible for creating animated toys that serve as antagonists throughout the game.

Children are drawn to the series’ unique blend of frightening yet approachable themes, transforming once-cute concepts (like toys and clowns) into chilling encounters. A fan-favorite character is Huggy Wuggy, a towering blue creature with exaggerated features, who delights in scaring those who wander into his abandoned toy factory.