President Joe Biden’s recent “Star Wars Day” celebration on social media, which featured actor Mark Hamill, famed for his role as Luke Skywalker, has sparked a wave of online backlash. The event, designed to honor the cultural phenomenon of “Star Wars” on May 4th, included a playful video shared on Biden’s official account. In the video, Biden greeted viewers with the iconic line “May the fourth be with you,” a play on the famous “Star Wars” phrase “May the force be with you.”
Mark Hamill’s involvement in the video was highlighted during a White House press briefing where he made a brief appearance, adding his own “Always” to Biden’s message. Despite amassing over 3 million views shortly after posting, the reception to the video wasn’t wholly positive.
Critics of the president took to social media to express their disapproval. Investigative reporter Drew Hernandez labeled the video “peak cringe,” while Bonchie, a contributor for RedState, accused Biden of ruining “Star Wars.” Other responses included a meme from the conservative group ForAmerica, featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi and calling the moment a “level of stupid” not seen in a long time. Pro-Trump influencer Brick Suit humorously suggested that Biden, who was in Delaware at the time, had likely already forgotten he participated in the video.
The criticism extended beyond mere disapproval of the video’s content, with political commentator Brilyn Hollyhand criticizing the timing of the post, pointing to more pressing national issues like disruptions on college campuses and anti-American sentiments that, he felt, warranted more immediate presidential attention.
This episode reflects the polarized nature of public and political discourse in the U.S., where even light-hearted cultural commemorations like “Star Wars Day” can become battlegrounds for criticism and political commentary.