--- title: "Trump administration posts images of accused fraudster with sombrero pumpkin" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-administration-posts-images-of-accused-fraudster-with-sombrero-pumpkin" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/trump-administration-posts-images-of-accused-fraudster-with-sombrero-pumpkin" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-administration-posts-images-of-accused-fraudster-with-sombrero-pumpkin.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/trump-administration-posts-images-of-accused-fraudster-with-sombrero-pumpkin" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-11-01T11:05:31.355Z" source_reported: "2026-11-01T06:15:24.000Z" updated: "2026-11-01T11:05:31.355Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 55 hype_score: 50 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-11-02T12:00:12.882200+00:00" --- # Trump administration posts images of accused fraudster with sombrero pumpkin *Critics condemn social media content released days before midterm elections as inflammatory* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports and 43 digests provide details, but no named on-the-record sources or documents are cited. - Craft 55 of 100, higher is better. The reporting is clear and holds together, but lacks quotes from those affected or responsible. - Hype 50 of 100, lower is better. Headlines and some digests use loaded adjectives like 'racist' and 'inflammatory' without full reportage. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - The Trump administration's online accounts circulated images of a pumpkin carved with a sombrero design and a fake Halloween background around a Black man accused of food assistance fraud. - Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins posted a photo of the man with the headline, SNAP FRAUDSTER, and text stating, 'Some costumes come with a price tag. This one comes with a prison sentence.' - The posts coincide with the government’s campaign to show aggressive immigration enforcement and efforts to crack down on fraud. - Critics have slammed the social media posts as inflammatory rhetoric. The Trump administration's online accounts circulated images of a pumpkin carved with a sombrero design and a fake Halloween-themed background around a Black man accused of food assistance fraud. The social media posts were slammed by critics as inflammatory rhetoric. The posts were released days before the midterm elections and coincide with the government’s campaign to show aggressive immigration enforcement and efforts to crack down on fraud. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins posted a photo of the man, identified as Mercedes Reshard New, also known as 'Shawty Dred,' with the headline, SNAP FRAUDSTER. Text accompanying the image stated, 'Some costumes come with a price tag. This one comes with a prison sentence.' Another White House post showed a pumpkin with a sombrero carved into it and the words 'Spooky szn is here.' ## Disagreement on the origin of the pumpkin post My Mother Lode and ABC News reported that the post by Rollins appears to be taken from an Instagram post from September 2025 by an account under the name Shawty Dred. The Gateway Pundit and Politicom reported that the official White House X account posted an AI-generated image of a jack-o’-lantern with a sombrero carved into it. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated reports below mention the specific details of the federal charges against Mercedes Reshard New, including the amount of SNAP benefits fraudulently obtained or the number of fraudulent accounts. The left-rated and centre-rated reports, including the full reports from My Mother Lode and ABC News, provided these details. ## Who covered it Shares of the 73 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 53% (39) - Centre: 37% (27) - Right: 10% (7) 7 of 80 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-11-02T12:00:12.882200+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 101 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-11-02T12:30:10.247Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Ten left-rated reports led on the criticism of the Trump administration's social media posts as inflammatory. These reports highlighted the use of a pumpkin carved with a sombrero design and a fake Halloween background around a Black man accused of food assistance fraud. Several of these reports, including ABC News and Sentinel Colorado, quoted the text accompanying the image of the man: 'Some costumes come with a price tag. This one comes with a prison sentence.' The left-rated reports also noted that the posts coincide with the government’s campaign to show aggressive immigration enforcement and efforts to crack down on fraud. NBC Chicago, NBC Boston, NBC Miami, NBC New York, NBC Philadelphia, and NBC Dallas-Fort Worth all noted this connection. The Gateway Pundit's report, which was rated left, focused on the 'left melts down' narrative regarding the 'racist' sombrero jack-o'-lantern. ### Centre - Nine centre-rated reports focused on the criticism of the Trump administration's social media posts as inflammatory. These reports, including My Mother Lode and LancasterOnline, described the images of a pumpkin carved with a sombrero design and a fake Halloween background around a Black man accused of food assistance fraud. My Mother Lode, which provided a full report, detailed that Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins posted a photo of the man with the headline, SNAP FRAUDSTER, and text stating, 'Some costumes come with a price tag. This one comes with a prison sentence.' These reports also noted that the posts coincide with the government’s campaign to show aggressive immigration enforcement and efforts to crack down on fraud. Newsday and WKMG mentioned the images of the pumpkin and the man accused of fraud. RadarOnline's report highlighted the 'fierce backlash' over the 'insanely racist' Halloween post. ### Right - Five right-rated reports highlighted the criticism directed at the Trump administration's social media posts, framing the reaction as the 'left melts down' over the 'racist' sombrero jack-o'-lantern. El Vocero de Puerto Rico and Arab News described the images of a pumpkin carved with a Mexican hat design and a fake Halloween costume around a Black man accused of food aid fraud. El Vocero de Puerto Rico stated that critics condemned the posts as inflammatory rhetoric. The Gateway Pundit and Politicom reported that the official White House X account posted an AI-generated image of a jack-o’-lantern with a sombrero carved into it, captioned 'Spooky szn is here,' and that the post quickly drew accusations of racism from Democrat officials, progressive commentators, and media outlets. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - low: 2 - mixed: 5 - high: 23 - unknown: 8 - veryHigh: 41 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-inflammatory-social-media-posts-midterms-b3077131.html) — Trump admin criticized over 'shameful' social posts before midterm elections - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-inflammatory-social-media-posts-midterms-b3077131.html) — Trump admin criticized over 'shameful' social posts before midterm elections - [Felix Victorino](https://fvdigital.do/publicaciones-de-halloween-del-gobierno-de-trump-generan-acusaciones-de-racismo) — Trump Government Halloween Publications Generate Accusations of Racism · Global Voices - [N Digital](https://n.com.do/2026/11/01/gobierno-trump-criticas-publicaciones-halloween) — Trump Criticized for Halloween Publications Considered "Racists" Before Elections · Global Voices - [CTV News](https://ctvnews.ca/world/article/white-house-slammed-for-inflammatory-social-media-posts) — White House slammed for inflammatory social media posts - [WOWT](https://wowt.com/2026/11/01/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-elections-criticized-being-inflammatory) — Trump administration’s social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Herald-Banner](https://heraldbanner.com/ap/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_597a4937-1fdd-5e12-a942-fefc6a45414b.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [IBTimes UK](https://ibtimes.co.uk/us-government-halloween-posts-criticism-1829318) — US Goes Into 'Sh*tposting' Overdrive With Series of Bizarre 'Haunting the Enemies of America' Halloween Posts - [South China Morning Post](https://scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3372874/us-midterms-near-trump-administration-ramps-rhetoric-bigoted-racist-memes) — As election nears, Trump administration ramps up rhetoric with racist memes - [One India](https://oneindia.com/international/trump-admins-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticised-for-being-inflammatory-8247649.html) — Trump Admin's Social Media Posts Ahead of Elections Criticised for Being Inflammatory - [El Vocero de Puerto Rico](https://elvocero.com/el-mundo/gobierno-de-trump-desata-cr-ticas-por-pol-micas-im-genes-de-halloween/article_cc306c3a-bb13-5490-b75a-cf6ed504cfed.html) — Trump Government Unleashes Criticism for Controversial Halloween Images - [LancasterOnline](https://lancasteronline.com/lavoz/estados-unidos/critican-por-incendiarias-las-publicaciones-en-redes-del-gobierno-de-trump-antes-de-las-elecciones/article_7af9bdf8-d143-5c79-8364-147c80f10afb.html) — Trump Government Network Publications Criticized for Incendiary Before Elections - [Independent Español](https://independentespanol.com/noticias/eeuu/critican-por-incendiarias-las-publicaciones-en-redes-del-gobierno-de-trump-antes-de-las-elecciones-b3077008.html) — Trump Government Network Publications Criticized for Incendiary Before Elections - [Sentinel Colorado](https://sentinelcolorado.com/nation-world/nation/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [The Siasat Daily](https://siasat.com/trump-admins-halloween-social-media-posts-called-insanely-racist-3567861) — Trump admin's Halloween social media posts called 'insanely' racist - [NBC Boston](https://nbcboston.com/news/politics/trump-administration-social-media-posts-elections-criticized-inflammatory/4041262) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [NBC Connecticut](https://nbcconnecticut.com/news/politics/trump-administration-social-media-posts-elections-criticized-inflammatory/3790910) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [NBC Miami](https://nbcmiami.com/news/politics/trump-administration-social-media-posts-elections-criticized-inflammatory/3881431) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [NBC New York](https://nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/trump-administration-social-media-posts-elections-criticized-inflammatory/6565733) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [NBC Philadelphia](https://nbcphiladelphia.com/news/politics/trump-administration-social-media-posts-elections-criticized-inflammatory/4489275) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [NBC Washington](https://nbcwashington.com/news/politics/trump-administration-social-media-posts-elections-criticized-inflammatory/4174999) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Los Angeles Times](https://latimes.com/politics/story/2026-10-31/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-criticized-as-racially-inflammatory) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized as racially inflammatory - [NewsFinale](https://newsfinale.com/local-news/trump-administrations-pre-election-posts-criticized-as-inflammatory) — Trump Administration’s Pre-Election Posts Criticized as Inflammatory - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/national/11271252/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory.html) — Trump administration’s social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [NBC Chicago](https://nbcchicago.com/news/politics/trump-administration-social-media-posts-elections-criticized-inflammatory/4010227) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [NBC Dallas-Fort Worth](https://nbcdfw.com/news/politics/trump-administration-social-media-posts-elections-criticized-inflammatory/4099146) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Arab News](https://arabnews.com/world/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory-3009208) — Trump administration’s social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [The Times-Tribune](https://thetimestribune.com/news/national_news/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_0a401351-9aac-50c5-ae93-afaf53596246.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [The EagleHerald](https://ehextra.com/news/nation_world/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_8639b424-2f36-5e8a-9f08-809bc3686eb7.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [The Philadelphia Tribune](https://phillytrib.com/ap/national/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_da96e416-d3e2-5daa-9c36-d6f634781284.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Crossville Chronicle](https://crossville-chronicle.com/news/ap_news/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_442e333f-772c-559b-852e-53ea8b85824a.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Durango Herald](https://durangoherald.com/articles/associated-press/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory) — Trump administration’s social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/10/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory) — Trump administration’s social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory – WTOP News - [KULR-TV](https://kulr8.com/news/national/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_f70e53bc-9582-5cf7-a01e-76616103c50e.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Marietta Daily Journal](https://mdjonline.com/news/national/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_db1622d4-a0f0-5a55-b599-928a69f251a5.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [The Daily Star](https://thedailystar.com/news/national/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_e2c035b2-4d45-5fa1-94af-754fc7bdea56.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [SooLeader.com](https://sooleader.com/michigan-news-ap/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory-12965175) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Jonesboro Sun](https://jonesborosun.com/news/national/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_807d4cc7-aa1d-5d5f-8964-f066dc70f792.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [KTBS](https://ktbs.com/news/national/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_9cf55cae-ed85-529b-a1fd-1c3a2716a096.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [KHQ Right Now](https://khq.com/news/syndicated/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_dc8dc85f-230b-55a1-a21e-60f13bbb2a01.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/national_news/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_521d4e53-72d7-57d4-a7c0-73dffd22abb8.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Cherokee Tribune Ledger News](https://tribuneledgernews.com/local_news/state_and_national/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_bfda1991-0c2a-5225-b8f2-7dd664c92f64.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [WCBD](https://counton2.com/news/national-news/ap-trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Goshen News](https://goshennews.com/news/national_news/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_020a9d3e-0b8a-5f22-aa20-f4b9150f3c2c.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Richmond Register](https://richmondregister.com/ap/national/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_b8215588-2a33-5b5e-96cc-693f13e27e98.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Lancaster Farming](https://lancasterfarming.com/news/associated_press/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_df51e628-705b-54eb-adae-5741d9d57c19.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [ABC FOX Montana](https://montanarightnow.com/national_news/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_a95c7d3d-7dec-5505-9b13-e52e274332cd.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [The Northern Virginia Daily](https://nvdaily.com/associated_press_national/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_b60f985d-3443-5b68-8d45-1580ab50d849.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [VINnews](https://vinnews.com/2026/10/31/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory) — Trump Administration’s Social Media Posts Ahead Of Elections Criticized For Being Inflammatory - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections crit - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory) — Trump administration’s social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/10/31/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/trump-administration-s-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_6b8f27c5-1018-53c8-87de-d91e47efd1fc.html) — Trump administration’s social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [WellandTribune.ca](https://wellandtribune.ca/news/world/united-states/trump-administration-s-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_dd79b554-596b-57b4-bde5-2bf023312782.html) — Trump administration’s social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory) — Trump administration’s social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Newsday](https://newsday.com/news/nation/trump-social-media-government-memes-midterm-elections-e75363) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [abc News](https://abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-elections-criticized-137743037) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [MY Northwest](https://mynorthwest.com/national/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/4292728) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/politics/2026/11/01/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/10/31/nation/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Daily Record](https://dailyrecordnews.com/ap_news/us/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_38ea83a5-ed8e-57f3-aae4-09deee233a86.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [WBOC 16](https://wboc.com/news/national/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_958a406e-9edc-5762-9239-aa02921df86a.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Daily News-Record](https://dnronline.com/associated_press/national/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_6189acad-aff5-543b-83a0-c51bf04f44e6.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [The Sun Chronicle](https://thesunchronicle.com/news/nation_world/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_967721a6-763e-5cb4-80ed-3bfc60ed6bb9.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel](https://gjsentinel.com/news/us/trump-administrations-social-media-posts-ahead-of-elections-criticized-for-being-inflammatory/article_9201cfd4-badb-5ce5-a489-96ee5ff65c77.html) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [NBC LA](https://nbclosangeles.com/news/politics/trump-administration-social-media-posts-elections-criticized-inflammatory/3964153) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [NBC Bay Area](https://nbcbayarea.com/news/politics/trump-administration-social-media-posts-elections-criticized-inflammatory/4168066) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [NBC San Diego](https://nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/trump-administration-social-media-posts-elections-criticized-inflammatory/4094975) — Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatory - [Raw Story](https://rawstory.com/brooke-rollins-2678178617) — Jaws drop as Trump cabinet official drops shockingly 'racist' Halloween message - [Mediaite](https://mediaite.com/media/news/trump-agriculture-secretary-brooke-rollins-eviscerated-over-bonkers-racist-halloween-post) — Trump Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins Eviscerated Over Bonkers ‘Racist’ Halloween Post - [Politics, Policy, Political News](https://politicom.com.au/left-melts-down-over-white-houses-racist-sombrero-jack-o-lantern) — Left Melts Down Over White House’s ‘Racist’ Sombrero Jack-o’-Lantern - Politics, Policy, Political Views - [The Gateway Pundit](https://thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/left-melts-down-white-houses-racist-sombrero-jack) — Left Melts Down Over White House’s ‘Racist’ Sombrero Jack-o’-Lantern * The Gateway Pundit * by Cassandra MacDonald - [RadarOnline](https://radaronline.com/p/donald-trump-white-house-backlash-racist-halloween-post) — Donald Trump's White House Faces Fierce Backlash From Critics Over 'Insanely Racist' Halloween Post - [Comic Sands](https://comicsands.com/white-house-racist-pumpkin) — White House Ripped After Posting Halloween Photo Of Racist Stereotype To Troll Democrats - [Joe.My.God.](https://joemygod.com/2026/10/critics-blast-white-house-for-racist-halloween-post) — Critics Blast White House For “Racist” Halloween Post - [thepoke.com](https://thepoke.com/2026/10/30/the-official-white-house-twitter-account-just-posted-a-halloween-message-that-was-terrifying-for-all-the-wrong-reasons) — The official White House Twitter account just posted a Halloween message that people reckoned was terrifying for all the wrong reasons - [Snopes](https://snopes.com/fact-check/white-house-sombrero-pumpkin) — Did White House Halloween post include image of sombrero carved into pumpkin? - [Buzzfeed](https://buzzfeed.com/leemoran/white-house-halloween-post-slammed-racist) — The White House Shared An "Insanely Racist" Post For "Spooky Szn," And People Are In Genuine Disbelief - [Reality Tea](https://realitytea.com/2026/10/29/donald-trump-white-house-halloween-post-backlash) — White House's Mexican-Themed Halloween Post Draws Criticism - [HuffPost](https://huffpost.com/entry/white-house-halloween-post-slammed_n_6ae2e1eee4b0bcffa26cb762) — White House’s ‘Insanely Racist’ Halloween Troll Gets Carved Up By Critics ## Questions **What images did the Trump administration post online?** The Trump administration's online accounts circulated images of a pumpkin carved with a sombrero design and a fake Halloween-themed background around a Black man accused of food assistance fraud. Another post showed a pumpkin with a sombrero carved into it and the words 'Spooky szn is here.' **Who is the Black man featured in the posts?** The Black man featured in the posts is Mercedes Reshard New, also known as 'Shawty Dred.' He was arrested on federal charges for fraudulently obtaining more than $4 million in SNAP benefits. **What was the reaction to these posts?** Critics slammed the social media posts as inflammatory rhetoric. The posts coincided with the government’s campaign to show aggressive immigration enforcement and efforts to crack down on fraud, leading to accusations of racism and political motivation. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-administration-posts-images-of-accused-fraudster-with-sombrero-pumpkin. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Trump administration posts images of accused fraudster with sombrero pumpkin", https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-administration-posts-images-of-accused-fraudster-with-sombrero-pumpkin