Thousands of Deceased People Follow Trump on Instagram

In a bizarre twist that even social media skeptics couldn’t predict, reports have surfaced that thousands of Instagram accounts—belonging to users who are, well, deceased—are now following President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. This involuntary mass subscription has sparked outrage, confusion, and a plethora of dark jokes about Trump’s new base being both dead and online.

The Digital Resurrection

According to Meta, the apparent phenomenon isn’t a glitch but rather part of their “standard transition process.” Whenever a new administration takes office, the official U.S. government accounts like @POTUS and @VP automatically transfer their followers to the incoming leaders. This, Meta claims, ensures continuity in government communications.

Unfortunately, that continuity doesn’t account for the fact that some of those accounts belong to users who are no longer alive. “It’s a way of keeping history alive—literally,” joked one social media analyst.

Difficulties in Unfollowing

The controversy doesn’t end there. Many users have reported difficulty in unfollowing these accounts, with unfollow requests not processing or mysteriously reverting. Meta has acknowledged the issue, attributing it to delays in processing during the handover.

One user, upon discovering they were following Trump, vented on Twitter: “I’m alive and unfollowed three times. I’m starting to think I need to die to make it permanent.”

Meta’s Response

Meta’s Communications Director, Andy Stone, explained that this is a continuation of a practice from previous transitions, like those between Obama and Trump or Trump and Biden. However, users say the lack of transparency feels like a violation. “It’s bad enough my grandpa’s Instagram account still exists,” said one user. “Now it’s being used to boost Trump’s follower count? He’s rolling in his grave—and apparently scrolling, too.”

A Platform in Hot Water

Critics argue this highlights larger issues about user autonomy on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. “When even the dead don’t have control over their social media presence, you know we’ve got a problem,” said a digital ethics expert.

In response, Trump himself dismissed the concerns as “fake news,” claiming, “People love me, even the ones who can’t say it out loud anymore. These are loyal, very silent supporters.”

A Grave New World

As users demand answers and accountability, one thing remains clear: in the age of digital permanence, not even death can save you from becoming part of a follower count.

Disclaimer: This article is a work of satire produced by The Crustian Daily, the leading source for news you can’t trust (but should).