Buzz
Writing about Donald Trump is something I avoid, and discussing his alleged diaper use is even less appealing. However, one of the most viral (and likely false) stories this week revolves around the former president's supposed reliance on Pampers, so I feel compelled to dive in. (gag)
The Backstory of Von Sh*tzinPantz
The rumor that Donald Trump wears diapers first gained traction thanks to stand-up comedian Noel Casler. In 2018, Casler, who claims to have worked on Trump's reality show The Apprentice, alleged that Trump "frequently soiled himself" during filming. Is Casler credible? It's unclear. Esteemed journalists haven't pursued this story, so there's no professional verification. Additionally, no other Apprentice staff members have corroborated Casler's claims, despite his insistence that it was common knowledge on set. However, Trump's history of strict NDAs and his litigious nature might deter potential whistleblowers. And let's be honest—Trump often looks like he's mid-bowel movement. Still, the Diaper Don theory remains unproven.
It's undeniable that the rumor about Trump wearing diapers and soiling himself has gained widespread traction. This week, it even surfaced in the official court records of Trump's New York criminal trial through a tweet from Michael Cohen, who referred to Trump as "Von ShitzInPantz." The idea is certainly circulating, but whether Trump supporters are genuinely donning diapers and "Diaper Don" apparel remains debatable. While photos exist and many people I know believe it, I remain skeptical—it feels too convenient.
Exhibit one: the photographs
We both understand that the photos alone prove nothing—they could be staged, edited, or AI-generated. However, their origin offers some insight. All images of individuals wearing Trump-themed diaper merchandise trace back to one source: Dispatches from Trumpland, a blog that appears to have started in December and claims to support Trump.
If Dispatches is genuinely a pro-Trump blog, it's an uninspired one. It features only five posts unrelated to diapers, mostly neutral coverage of the GOP primary. These articles struck me as AI-generated, so I tested this post with three AI-detection tools, all of which confirmed it was written by AI. Interestingly, the diaper-related posts were flagged as human-written.
Unlike the dull primary coverage, the diaper posts lack specifics. The first post doesn't specify where the photos of Trump supporters in diaper gear were taken, only mentioning "a merch cart spotted by the news in Michigan" without providing a link. (If such a story exists, I couldn't locate it.) The second post claims the images were captured at "Trump’s latest event in rural Pennsylvania" but fails to mention the exact location or date.
All these factors strongly indicate that the site is a form of astroturfing, a politically motivated smear campaign created solely to disseminate the photos. The rest of the site's content appears to offer a superficial layer of credibility—provided you don’t spend more than 10 minutes scrutinizing it.
Exhibit number two: the psychology of Trump's supporters and detractors
Another point to consider: If there's one thing we know about Trump supporters, it's that they take pride in their actions, no matter how controversial. So why haven’t we seen any verified Trump supporters sharing photos of themselves in diaper-themed gear? If the idea of wearing "real men wear diapers" merchandise to provoke liberals was genuinely appealing, why isn’t your obnoxious uncle sporting that shirt right now? The notion that Trump supporters would pass up an opportunity to antagonize liberals defies belief.
It also seems out of character for them to embrace something perceived as a weakness and associate it with their idol, Donny. They prefer Trump to be viewed as strong and commanding, not as an elderly figure struggling with incontinence. Turning insults into badges of honor is more of a liberal tactic.
On the flip side, Trump supporters attempting a "Dark Brandon" move but only managing to make themselves look more absurd is precisely the kind of thing you'd share with your friends or post on Threads with a caption like, "Check out what these clowns are doing now!" It feels too convenient, too ideal, and too perfectly aligned with the biases of one group.
I admire the effort, but witnessing the behind-the-scenes process leaves me slightly unsettled. While it’s undeniably effective propaganda, and democracy has no room for claims of 'unfairness,' I understand the political strategy of mocking Trump supporters and supplying endless material for late-night comedy. Still, the optimist in me can’t help but wonder, 'Can’t we aim higher? Is it really necessary to fabricate absurd stories about Trump supporters?'
It remains unclear whether this movement is genuinely grassroots or artificially manufactured.
Online stores such as TeePublic now offer a variety of 'real men wear diapers' t-shirts, but there’s no proof these items existed before Dispatches from Trumpland’s April 11th post about the first diaper sighting. It’s only a matter of time before we spot this merchandise in public, likely worn by both Trump enthusiasts who embrace the idea and critics who wear it sarcastically. The narrative of Trump soiling himself will undoubtedly become a recurring theme in this chaotic election year, much like the 2016 claims of 'Hillary Clinton is on death’s door!' Do you recall that?
Honestly, this entire situation is distasteful.
Engaging in mudslinging might be a necessary tactic to secure victory in the 2024 election, but the more I reflect on this particular attack, the more troubling it becomes. Not because of Trump (who deserves criticism) or his supporters (who also warrant scrutiny), but because the reality is that real men and women do wear diapers. Incontinence is not a mark of frailty, nor is it a subject for ridicule. It’s an unfortunate circumstance that can affect anyone, regardless of their character or achievements.
While I grasp that the intent here is to mock the obsessive and peculiar loyalty of Trump’s followers toward their idol, I must point out—at the risk of dampening the mood—that using adult diapers as a tool for ridicule is deeply unfair to those who suffer from incontinence. Ageism is just as harmful as any other form of discrimination, and if you consider applying this approach to another marginalized group, the humor in labeling Trump as 'Von Shitshispants' quickly loses its appeal.
