In the grand tradition of “Cocaine Mitch” McConnell (R-KY), “CNN NewsNight” host Abby Phillip accidentally gave President Donald Trump a new nickname that, if anything, will only make him sound cooler.
Phillip began a roundtable discussion with a reference to Trump’s decision to invoke Section 740 of the Home Rule Act and deploy federal resources in Washington, D.C., in an effort to tackle the rampant violent crime that has been plaguing the city and putting residents and visitors at risk.
WATCH:
CNN’s Abby Phillip:
“Donald Trump makes himself Batman and the nation’s capital is Gotham City.”
That makes President Trump sound SUPER COOL!
Don’t think that was Abby’s intention at all. pic.twitter.com/DeNP1nUVwh
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) August 12, 2025
“Let’s get right to what America is talking about,” she began. “Donald Trump makes himself Batman and the nation’s capital is Gotham City. The President of the United States has declared himself Crime Fighter in Chief, and he’s taking over Washington’s police force. It is a move that the D.C. Mayor is calling ‘unsettling and unprecedented.’”
The immediate response from Trump voters was to embrace the nickname, flooding X with memes and comments referring to Trump as Batman.
“I voted for this,” one posted with an AI-generated image of Trump as Batman with Vice President JD Vance as Robin.
I voted for this. https://t.co/WRMux4ElcV pic.twitter.com/nkA1jUNTE1
— Burt Macklin (@BurtMaclin_FBI) August 12, 2025
“I’m whatever Gotham needs me to be,” another added, including an image of Trump in the iconic cape and cowl.
I’m whatever Gotham needs me to be. https://t.co/dLq87STYp8 pic.twitter.com/PyWsExDKhC
— Christian Martinez (@C_RMartinez) August 12, 2025
“We call this stumbling upon truth,” one quipped in response to Phillip’s comment.
We call this stumbling upon truth https://t.co/DVDeXONGdD
— Derek. (@SuitablePolitic) August 12, 2025
“Ya’ll really trying to make @realDonaldTrump look even more badass aren’t you?” another asked.
Yall really trying to make @realDonaldTrump look even more badass aren’t you @abbydphillip ? https://t.co/zUFO9jYZaA pic.twitter.com/0vHPK70QZo
— Rollo (@SportsRollo) August 12, 2025
And of course, a number pointed out the fact that years ago — when asked by a young boy if he was Batman — Trump said that he was: “I am Batman!”
CNN’s Abby Phillip: “Donald Trump makes himself Batman and the nation’s capital is Gotham City.”
President Trump: “I am Batman” https://t.co/GiwUHsSO8X pic.twitter.com/HfTcPkfGHp
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) August 12, 2025
