Donald Trump has found a new way to aim at an old rival—this time, through drones and an AI-generated meme. Amid ongoing reports of mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey, the President-elect used the opportunity to mock former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, sharing an image of Christie enjoying a McDonald’s Happy Meal delivered by drones.
The meme, posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform and Twitter, was a thinly veiled jab at Christie, who had been a vocal critic of Trump during the 2024 GOP primary. The former president captioned the post with his thoughts on the ongoing drone mystery: “Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so. Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!! DJT.”
While Trump’s fiery rhetoric about shooting down the drones grabbed attention, it was the AI-generated image that stole the show, reigniting tensions with Christie, who has remained silent on both the drones and Trump’s taunt.
The backstory on the Trump-Christie feud
The jab at Christie is part of a long history of animosity between the two Republicans. Christie, who dropped out of the 2024 presidential race earlier this month, centered his campaign on criticizing Trump’s leadership and legal troubles, calling him a “failed leader” and accusing him of prioritizing personal interests over the nation.
Trump’s latest meme seems to be a victory lap over Christie’s failed campaign. The choice of a McDonald’s Happy Meal—a frequent target of jokes about Christie’s weight—adds a biting layer of humor to the dig.
Christie’s silence amid the drone mystery
Interestingly, Christie has not commented on the wave of unexplained drone sightings across New Jersey and New York, leaving the public to wonder whether Trump’s meme was a lighthearted critique or a deeper swipe at Christie’s absence from the conversation.
Trump’s tactical meme strategy
This isn’t the first time Trump has used memes and humor to rally his base. By mixing politics with entertainment, Trump keeps the spotlight on himself while simultaneously undermining his rivals. The Christie meme, complete with drones and fast food, showcases Trump’s knack for turning even mysterious aerial phenomena into viral moments.