In a swift move, Chinese e-commerce platforms have taken down T-shirts featuring an image of former U.S. President Donald Trump raising his fist after being shot at a rally in Pennsylvania. The T-shirts, which quickly appeared on popular Chinese e-commerce sites like Taobao and JD.com, were removed within hours of the assassination attempt, highlighting the sensitivity and control exercised by Chinese authorities over online content.
The attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally last Saturday spurred a flurry of online activity and discussion. Chinese entrepreneurs were quick to capitalize on the event, with T-shirts bearing the now-iconic image of Trump’s defiant gesture appearing online in record time. According to reports, some sellers began printing the shirts within three hours of the incident, with prices around 39 yuan ($9). A seller on Taobao revealed that she received over 2,000 orders in just a few hours, primarily from customers in China and the U.S.
Despite the initial surge in sales, the listings were soon pulled from Chinese e-commerce platforms. While no official reason was given for the removal, the politically sensitive nature of the incident likely prompted the action. China’s internet is heavily regulated, with content deemed sensitive or controversial frequently censored. The shooting incident, which involved a high-profile figure like Trump, fits this category.
Chinese authorities have a vested interest in controlling narratives that could affect international relations, especially with the U.S. The ongoing trade war initiated during Trump’s presidency has already strained relations between the two nations. Allowing T-shirts that could potentially turn Trump into a martyr or a symbol of resistance would have significant impact on the perception of the Chinese people. Xi cannot have that.
The T-shirts featured various slogans, some of which seemed to mock Trump, while others appeared to support him. Phrases like “Leaders Never Die” and “Bullet Proof” were emblazoned on some shirts, reflecting a range of sentiments. Another popular slogan, “Fight! Fight! Fight!” echoed Trump’s own defiant words following the attack.
These slogans and the rapid production of the T-shirts underscore the complex and often contradictory relationship that Chinese netizens have with Trump. Despite his controversial policies, including the trade war and derogatory remarks about China, Trump has garnered a unique following in China. Some view him as a formidable leader, while others see him as a figure of satire and ridicule.
The removal of the T-shirts from Chinese platforms has not stopped their sale elsewhere. E-commerce sites in Southeast Asia and the U.S. have continued to offer similar merchandise. Platforms like Lazada and Shopee, popular in Southeast Asia, and American sites such as Amazon and Etsy, have seen a variety of Trump-related items, including T-shirts with slogans like “Bullet Proof 2024” and “Never Surrender.
China’s swift action to pull the T-shirts underscores the country’s paranoia and lack of trust in its people. The message is simple. There can be no hero except Xi – especially a more powerful world leader.