The Rise of Real-Life Political Propaganda
We’ve all seen dystopian movies where governments flood citizens with propaganda through giant screens and endless video loops. Usually, the person on those screens is not the hero. Yet, the Trump administration seems unaware of how closely current events in the U.S. resemble those fictional worlds.
Fortunately, not everyone is willing to participate in this kind of authoritarian messaging. Many local officials and airports are drawing a line in the sand.
Trump Administration Pushes Blame for Shutdown
Earlier this month, reports surfaced that the Trump administration had ordered nearly every federal agency’s website to pin the government shutdown on the Democratic Party and “the radical left.”
Now, according to the Washington Post, the administration wants airports nationwide to air a video featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who blames Democrats for the ongoing shutdown.
“Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government,” Noem says in the video. “Because of this, many of our operations are impacted.”
She adds that while TSA is doing its best to minimize travel delays, the department hopes Democrats will “soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”
Airports Refuse to Air the Propaganda Video
Thankfully, many airport officials across the country recognize how inappropriate this messaging is. Airports in Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle, and Portland have all refused to broadcast the video.
Officials say showing the video could violate internal policies and even state and federal laws against using public resources for political activity.
“We believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes and messaging,” said Molly Prescott, spokesperson for the Port of Portland.
The Hatch Act, enacted in 1939, prevents federal employees from engaging in political activity while on the job. Oregon law also bars public employees from promoting or opposing political parties during work hours.
In Westchester County, New York, County Executive Ken Jenkins echoed the sentiment, calling the video “inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials” and “unnecessarily alarmist.”
Why the Administration Is Pushing the Message
The timing of this campaign isn’t accidental. With the midterm elections approaching, polls show most voters blame Republicans—not Democrats—for the shutdown.
Despite the Trump administration’s messaging efforts, the public largely views the party in power as responsible. That perception could spell trouble for congressional Republicans and the White House.
Meanwhile, the shutdown continues to wreak havoc on U.S. travelers and workers.
Airport Delays and Worker Hardship
The longer the shutdown drags on, the more it impacts everyday Americans. Airlines and airports are facing staffing shortages, especially among air traffic controllers and TSA agents who are being forced to work without pay.
According to CNBC, these shortages have delayed flights in Burbank, California, and Nashville, Tennessee.
“It is safe to fly, but staffing shortages strain the system,” said a statement from Airlines for America, which represents major carriers such as Delta, United, and American Airlines.
On one Sunday alone, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported 8,000 flight delays and 271 cancellations nationwide.
Still, only one political party created a taxpayer-funded video to shift blame onto the other—something critics say crosses both legal and ethical lines.
Final Thoughts: Remember in the Midterms
As the government shutdown drags on, the Trump administration’s attempts to rewrite the narrative grow more desperate. But Americans are paying attention.
Officials at airports across the country are standing up for integrity, neutrality, and democracy—reminding us that propaganda has no place
