It isn’t a bird… nor is it a plane… It’s Donald Trump wearing a Superman costume!

The backlash against the White House’s social media post of Trump as Superman was swift and brutal this past weekend.

According to The Independent, the White House was apparently attempting “to capitalize on the buzz generated by the release of a new blockbuster film about DC’s Man of Steel. ” The movie, Superman, opened in theaters on July 11.

Trump critics and supporters, celebrities and the media were quick to comment on the White House post.

One internet user wrote, “As a Trump voter, this is cringy as hell.”

Another person said, “Could you be more embarrassing?”

And one internet user labeled it “gross and pathetic. Just like Trump.”

The director of the new movie, James Gunn, incited the right wing’s wrath when he called Superman “the story of America.” He told the Times of London that it “is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.”

Fox News and some social media users criticized the film as too “woke,” despite many not having seen it.

Numerous people on social media edited the image to make Trump obese. Some images were flattering, but others were “deeply offensive,” according to The Independent.

The White House responded by saying, “Nowhere in the Constitution does it say we can’t post banger memes.”

According to Time, one internet user called the administration “unserious,” and another said, “OMG, did the White House really post this?”

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) said Trump is “literally Lex Luthor.” Luthor is a supervillain in the Superman world. Actor Dean Cain, who played Superman in the 1990s TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, posted two laughing emojis in response to the White House post.

Actor Patrick Dougall urged, “Warner Bros, PLEASE sue.”

Warner Bros. produced Superman and owns the “vast majority” of intellectual property rights related to the Superman character, including copyrights covering Superman and other major characters, storylines,

Superman’s powers, such as flight, and visuals such as the distinctive “S” on the Superman costume.

“The only superpower Trump has is committing felonies at the speed of light,” said one internet user. Another person warned, “This isn’t just cringe. It’s cult-building 101.”

Someone else posted, “I can’t believe this is the country I live in. ” Another pointed out, “This is embarrassing, as our whole current administration is…. I don’t even recognize our country, but decorum and decency have definitely left the building.”

“Not funny anymore,” wrote Richard Hanania, a conservative columnist and Project 2025 contributor. He called it “a reminder we’re living under a third world regime.”

Vanity Fair said that while Trump is aligning himself with Superman, many of his MAGA supporters are boycotting the movie, sight unseen, because of its positive portrayal of immigrants.

In an article for the Arizona Republic, columnist Bill Goodykoontz said, “It just can’t get any dumber. I understand posting the doctored poster is trolling and that I’m playing into it by even bringing it up. But I’m sorry. Some things are just too stupid to ignore. Why on earth would they (the White House) post such a thing?”

MSN called the Trump-as-Superman post “bizarre.” The White House “triggered a wave of reactions online with many netizens, including Republicans, immediately asking about Jeffrey Epstein files,” the news outlet said. Yahoo! News wrote, “Internet Explodes Over’ Super Felon’ Meme.

One person reacting to the White House post suggested the administration might be using Superman as a distraction from its “creeping authoritarianism.“

“I’m at a loss for words,” said liberal social media influencer Brian Krassenstein. “When you betray your base, sell out to (Jeffrey) Epstein’s pals, and tank the country, I guess all that’s left is to slap on a cape and pray it still cults.”

Krassenstein wasn’t the only person to mention the late convicted sex offender. One internet user said, “Guess the Epstein list is your kryptonite, huh?” in reference to a recent incident in which Trump shut down a journalist who asked about Epstein. The incident occurred after the Justice Department and FBI announced they had no evidence that Epstein had blackmailed powerful people on the client list he allegedly had.

Epstein, who reportedly committed suicide in 2019, portrayed himself as Trump’s “best friend” and said he had “intimate knowledge” of Trump’s “proclivity for sex,” according to the Daily Beast. “He called Trump ‘charming’ and ‘always fun,’ capable of extraordinary salesmanship…. But he alleged Trump was a serial cheat in his marriages.”

MSN said, “The backlash reignited after the Trump administration claimed no Epstein client list exists, a response that not only enraged critics but also left several MAGA supporters furious, demanding transparency.”