The history of Donald Trump and Pepe the meme is an intriguing tale that intertwines the realms of politics and internet culture. Pepe the Frog, originally created by artist Matt Furie in 2005 as a laid-back, comic character, gained immense popularity as a meme on various online platforms, especially on 4chan and later on Reddit. With his expressive face and malleable features, Pepe became a versatile symbol, used for everything from humor to political commentary.

​

During the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign, Pepe's image became closely associated with supporters of Donald Trump. Trump himself retweeted an image featuring Pepe, leading to further integration of the meme into Trump-related content. Pepe was often depicted wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat or engaging in various pro-Trump activities, reflecting the fervent enthusiasm of many Trump supporters online.

​

However, the association between Trump and Pepe also attracted controversy. Pepe's image was hijacked by some far-right and alt-right groups, leading to its classification as a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League in 2016. This prompted Furie to take legal action to reclaim Pepe's image and distance it from extremist ideologies.

​

Despite the controversy, Pepe remained a prominent figure in internet culture throughout Trump's presidency, symbolizing both the fervent support and the polarizing nature of Trump's leadership. The association between Trump and Pepe highlights the complex relationship between mainstream politics and online subcultures, where memes can wield significant influence and shape public perception.