Former U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss was the target of a lettuce-related stunt while hosting a pro-Donald Trump speaking event in Suffolk, England. During her speech explaining her support for Trump and discussing American economic struggles, a banner depicting a lettuce with the words “I crashed the economy” unfurled behind her. Despite wearing a green dress resembling lettuce, Truss was initially unaware of the banner until it was pointed out to her. She then stormed off stage, proclaiming, “That’s not funny.” The prank, orchestrated by activist group Led By Donkeys, quickly went viral, garnering 2.3 million views in less than 12 hours.
This incident was not the first time Led By Donkeys had executed such a prank, as they had previously irritated populist leader Nigel Farage with a banner of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the words “I ❤️ Nigel” during his campaign trail. Ironically, Truss’s reaction came after she had advocated for free speech on social media platforms, criticizing attacks on free speech in Britain and Europe. This stance was in response to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledge to hold social media bosses accountable for not effectively policing their platforms, following disinformation that fueled far-right, anti-immigration riots in the U.K.
Truss, who lost her seat in parliament less than two years after unfunded tax cuts crashed the economy, has been attempting to establish herself in the U.S. political scene. She has become a vocal supporter of Donald Trump and has consistently tried to shift blame for her failed mini-Budget onto the Bank of England. The lettuce prank at her speaking event was reminiscent of a similar trick by the Daily Star, where a livestream of a lettuce competed with predictions on Truss’s political future. Truss’s hostile reaction to the prank may have been fueled by her recent efforts to garner support in the U.S. and distance herself from the economic downturn in the U.K.
The juxtaposition of Truss’s reaction to the lettuce stunt with her advocacy for free speech highlights the complexities of navigating political discourse in the digital age. While Truss condemned attacks on free speech and commended public figures like Elon Musk for standing up to bullies, her own response to the prank demonstrated a lack of tolerance for satire aimed at her. This incident underscores the challenges faced by politicians in managing their public image and credibility, especially in the face of viral social media content that can quickly shape public opinion.
Ultimately, the lettuce prank on Liz Truss serves as a humorous yet poignant reminder of the power of activism and satire in political discourse. Led By Donkeys effectively used a simple prop to draw attention to Truss’s political record and stance on key issues, sparking widespread discussion and debate online. Truss’s strong reaction to the prank suggests the impact that such tactics can have on public figures, forcing them to confront their own vulnerabilities and limitations. As politicians continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media and online activism, events like the lettuce stunt serve as a reminder of the need for transparency, accountability, and a sense of humor in the political arena.
