Every year, Star Wars Day on May 4th brings fans together to celebrate all things related to the iconic franchise. The phrase “May the Fourth be with you” has become a beloved tradition among Star Wars enthusiasts, and this year, the celebration took an unexpected political twist.
What many expected to be another day of fun Star Wars memes and references quickly turned into a heated discussion when the White House X (formerly Twitter) account shared an image that many found controversial.
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In a post that merged politics with pop culture, the White House shared an altered image of Donald Trump holding a red lightsaber against a backdrop of American flags and bald eagles, sparked a strong reaction from the public. While some saw it as a clever political statement, others were quick to point out the irony and symbolism associated with the image.
The Tweet That Started the Debate
“Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy. You’re not the Rebellion—you’re the Empire.
May the 4th be with you.”
Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy. You’re not the Rebellion—you’re the Empire.
May the 4th be with you. pic.twitter.com/G883DhDRR5
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 4, 2025
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The tweet was meant to be a celebration of Star Wars Day, but instead became a political statement, with a clear reference to the political divide in the United States. The use of lightsabers typically wielded by Sith Lords in the tweet added an unexpected layer of controversy, as the Sith, in the Star Wars universe, are symbols of tyranny and oppression, not freedom or rebellion.
The Symbolism of the Sith Lord
For those familiar with Star Wars lore, the red lightsaber is a key symbol of the Sith, the enemies of the Jedi who follow the Dark Side of the Force. The red blade represents power, aggression, and control—traits that define the Sith’s philosophy. The Sith Lords, who wield these blades, are often seen as dictatorial figures bent on domination, making their association with the post highly ironic.
According to Ultrasabers, a company specializing in custom lightsabers, the red lightsaber is deeply tied to the Sith’s ideology:
The origins and meaning of red lightsabers in Star Wars are deeply tied to power, aggression, and the unrelenting dominance of the Dark Side. are notorious in Star Wars as a weapon carried by the most villainous of characters, the Sith. These villains had one life purpose: to eliminate the Jedi Order and gain control as tyrants throughout the galaxy.
In canon, when Sith obtained a natural kyber crystal, they would “bleed” it to change the color to red. This ritual involved pouring all of their anger, hatred, and rage into the crystal, corrupting it so completely that the red hue of the Dark Side overtook it. This practice became the dominant method for forging Sith crimson-bladed sabers, guaranteeing that each weapon embodied a red kyber crystal along with its wielder’s darkness and the intended red lightsaber meanings focused on power, rage, and domination.
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Given the metaphorical implications, it’s easy to see why this image of Trump as a Sith Lord raised questions. Critics quickly pointed out that the Sith, by definition, embody oppression and authoritarianism—traits that, depending on one’s political perspective, could seem to reflect certain qualities associated with Trump’s leadership.
A Divisive Response
The White House’s post stirred mixed reactions. Supporters of the former president viewed it as a clever and bold statement, symbolizing strength and defiance. On the other hand, many found the post to be problematic. Critics pointed out the irony of using the Sith Lord imagery, given the Sith’s association with tyranny.
Some even suggested that the post unintentionally depicted Trump in a way that aligned more with the negative traits of the Sith.
One such critic, @PHIZ15, tweeted:
“So let me get this straight—you’re calling others the Empire while literally posting an image of yourself wielding a red lightsaber? That’s… the color of the Sith.”
This tweet quickly gained traction, with many users noting the contradiction between the White House’s message and the iconic Star Wars symbolism. It was clear that the Sith representation didn’t align with the image of a “freedom fighter” that the tweet’s tone seemed to suggest.
So let me get this straight—you’re calling others the Empire while literally posting an image of yourself wielding a red lightsaber? That’s… the color of the Sith.
— Phizfifteen (@PHIZ15) May 4, 2025
A Missed Opportunity?
For Star Wars fans, the Sith Lord imagery was a jarring misstep, especially considering the core themes of the saga. At its heart, Star Wars is about the battle between good and evil, with the Jedi representing hope, freedom, and justice, while the Sith embody hate, control, and power. The Rebellion represents those fighting for freedom, while the Empire symbolizes the oppressive regime that seeks to dominate the galaxy.
One X user, @LittleMissLizz, expressed frustration over the lack of understanding of Star Wars lore, saying:
“How do you not have one nerd on staff to tell you what color lightsaber is good and what color is bad???”
How do you not have one nerd on staff to tell you what color lightsaber is good and what color is bad???
— The Sassiest Semite (@LittleMissLizz) May 4, 2025
This tweet resonated with many, as it seemed evident that the staff responsible for crafting this tweet didn’t fully grasp the meaning behind the Star Wars symbols they were using. The Sith Lord reference, in particular, appeared to be a clear misstep in terms of both pop culture awareness and political messaging.
The White House’s Sith Lord tweet undoubtedly added a surprising political layer to this year’s May the Fourth celebrations. Whether it was a clever political maneuver or a poorly executed use of Star Wars imagery is up for debate. Some found it amusing, while others saw it as an attempt to twist a beloved franchise to serve a divisive political message.
So, what do you think of the White House’s take on Star Wars Day? Was the Sith Lord imagery a clever political statement, or did it miss the mark by misusing such a prominent pop culture reference?
Join the conversation below and share your thoughts on the use of Star Wars symbolism in political messaging. Whether you’re a Star Wars purist or just interested in the cultural implications, we’d love to hear what you think!
