The phrase refers to pictures and memes that depict the previous U.S. president holding or utilizing a Thompson submachine gun, typically often known as a “tommy gun.” These depictions are usually digitally created or manipulated. An instance is {a photograph} of the previous president altered to point out him holding the firearm in a fashion harking back to gangsters from the Prohibition period.
The recognition of such photos stems from their use as political commentary and satire. They typically 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 towards established norms.