Country star John Rich reacted in almost biblical terms to President Joe Biden’s dark speech Thursday night describing the “MAGA Republicans” as a threat to American democracy.
Noting the eerie optics of the red-black background with soldiers on both sides, Rich said the president’s speech looked like it had been made in front of “the gates of hell.”
“What happened to the blood-red background? It was like Joe was standing at the gates of hell,” Rich said.
What is the background of red blood? It was as if Joe was standing at the gates of hell… pic.twitter.com/qEmgSZEAYs
— John Rich
(@johnrich) September 2, 2022
Shortly after the president gave his address, photos of him clenching his fists on a podium against a dark red background went viral on Twitter; the gates of hell is the most popular link.
Nothing speaks more of peace and harmony than the fact that in the background of your farewell speech it sounds as if you are entering through the gates of hell. pic.twitter.com/zOgrHw1yFM
– Megan Morin (@Keggs719) September 2, 2022
This image has not been edited in any way. It looks like Biden has indeed decided to give his national address at the Gates of Hell. pic.twitter.com/QvvqTrTmIC
– First (@TheFirstonTV) September 2, 2022
From the Gates of Hell. https://t.co/Zb9kdWq6Bf
— Braveheart (@Braveheart_USA) September 2, 2022
Who would have thought that the “Gates of Hell” image would be a good visual effect for kids? #BidenSpeech Tonight? I mean, it’s convenient, yes, but it’s definitely not pretty. https://t.co/ajm2HFUqNK
— Bo Wagner (@PreacherBo) September 2, 2022
This is the worst speech I’ve ever seen. #pedogits. pic.twitter.com/yiEiLSRg5B
– Bruno
██████ (@RealMadBruno) September 2, 2022
Other reactions focused solely on hopeless optics, and made me wonder how anyone on the presidential team thought an image of an angry red president would look good on the average voter.
So this is clearly not a fake picture, but how the White House would like to see Biden (and from what I’ve read, the opposite of the national unity speech we were promised). What do they think? Like Leni Riefenstahl working for Brezhnev. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/OsLKc4Z0qN
— Ilya Shapiro (@ishapiro) September 2, 2022
american friends,
What’s going on here and who thought this lighting was a good idea? pic.twitter.com/hU58lMqxZZ
— ZUBI: (@ZubyMusic) September 2, 2022
Seriously, for someone with a technical theater background, this seems like an untested lighting design at night. I think they expected more ambient light and less dark brutality. https://t.co/DFTnIHiMSB
— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) September 2, 2022
ὄ optics ὄ pic.twitter.com/Zc2bYeaAws
— Mairid Elordi (@JohnsonHildy) September 2, 2022
I didn’t watch the show. I guess most Americans don’t. They will only see one or two pictures. And optics… not so much. pic.twitter.com/Cz3eW7uu4X
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) September 2, 2022
God, I know all the clichés, but if Trump showed up with those optics, CNN would have scraped the graffiti on the roof. https://t.co/bu5qGXuVg3
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) September 2, 2022
Dark blood red background, angry and judgmental tone, and twinkling eyes.
Negative words and topics – and constant reprimand.
Who did it? Who wrote?
Big mistake. pic.twitter.com/PcIst7Wra8
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) September 2, 2022
Source: Breitbart
