The phrase refers to photographs and memes that depict the previous U.S. president holding or utilizing a Thompson submachine gun, usually often called a “tommy gun.” These depictions are usually digitally created or manipulated. An instance is {a photograph} of the previous president altered to indicate him holding the firearm in a way harking back to gangsters from the Prohibition period.
The recognition of such photographs stems from their use as political commentary and satire. They usually serve to convey a message, both supportive or vital, of the previous president’s insurance policies, persona, or rhetoric. The historic affiliation of the “tommy gun” with organized crime and energy additional provides to the visible metaphor, highlighting themes of authority, potential aggression, and a rebellious stance in opposition to established norms.
