According to Yahoo, President Donald Trump is once again facing scrutiny for using AI-generated media. The Trump Department of Homeland Security posted a clip to X of Optimus Prime emblazoned with the ICE logo, titled “Transformers: Age Of Deportation.” A callback to the 2014 film Transformers: Age of Extinction.
https://t.co/Klx1oLLjM6 pic.twitter.com/PfmZp21bxr
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) September 9, 2026
In another post, Optimus Prime threatens a foreign man named “Mr Singh” to “self-deport or find out”. Hasbro quickly responded in a post on their own social media. DHS deleted the post containing “Mr.Singh”, but “Age Of Deportation” still remains online.
DHS has deleted posts depicting Optimus Prime as an ICE agent after backlash from Hasbro.
“Optimus Prime … represents humility, leadership, compassion and justice.” pic.twitter.com/3c7CVSZhnL
— FactPost (@factpostnews) September 10, 2026
“Optimus Prime is a beloved character who represents humility, leadership, compassion, and justice. Hasbro is aware of the recent posts using his likeness. These posts were done without permission and do not represent the Transformers brand or Hasbro,” per Yahoo.
Singh is a surname historically linked to regions in North India. The Hindu American Foundation and the Sikh Coalition condemned the posts and the portrayal of a brown-skinned, bearded man as an illegal alien.
The actor behind the iconic voice of Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen, recently passed away. Hasbro previously posted remembering the voice actor fondly. Before his audition for the leader of the Autobots, his brother Larry Cullen, a Marine Corps veteran, reminded him of compassion, telling him to be “strong enough to be gentle.”
Many have quickly pointed out the irony of the post. The Autobots are literal alien beings and essentially refugees. One of Optimus Prime’s foremost principles is “freedom for all sentient beings.” Some have called for Hasbro to take legal action. Others have applauded the post, responding with comments such as “Deport Them All !!,” via Yahoo.
The Trump administration seems to want to portray the president and his agencies as heroic. In another AI-generated post by the White House, Trump himself donned the ring of a Green Lantern and created constructs such as a wall to keep out immigrants, American infrastructure, and an array of military vehicles.
@whitehouseLet those who worship evil’s might beware my power… Green Lantern’s light