A viral White House moment has become the unlikely inspiration for a social media trend in China. And it’s not exactly flattering for Donald Trump.
After the video of the White House prayer circle went viral, Chinese small business and factory bosses started making fun of it. Workers can be seen forming circles, placing their hands on each other’s shoulders or heads. They jokingly “pray” for things like better sales, higher wages, and business success.
Parody videos are now exploding on Chinese platforms like Douyin and Weibo, with many users poking fun at the US president.
What started as a White House moment for Donald Trump ended up as free comedy content for millions in China.
Photos and videos of such group prayers have flooded social media platforms even outside of China. On Facebook and Twitter (now X), many users are now posting such content.
Reaction on social networks
A social media user shared: “President Zhang asked colleagues to pray for strong sales of aluminum cutting machines in March. Everyone stood around President Zhang and put their hands on her shoulders.”
“On March 10th local time, President Zhang of Jiurun went to the production workshop and invited everyone to pray for sales in March, hoping that there will be an increase in sales in March!” the user added prayers while sharing the photo.
Another user responded: “I’m really looking forward to Chinese Century. Everything we’ve been told about them is just scaremongering – they’re funny as hell.”
“Joke or not, this is actually a positive first step for the Chinese to explore belief in something other than the secular world of materialism,” another user wrote.
Another user wrote: “If there is this kind of healthy humor, there will never be corrupt, cult humor. Humor acts as a lubricant that loosens the rigidity of society.”
“The irony is hard to miss. . . . In China, religious expression as a meme is fine—but practicing it freely outside the state system can cross a political red line. It kind of begs the question: Would those same bosses still find it funny if prayer wasn’t a joke?” asked a social media user.
“The fact that Chinese businesses are turning his prayer stunt in the Oval Office into a viral joke and free marketing gold speaks volumes. What he thought would be serious or inspiring abroad has instead become a spectacle and the world is laughing at him,” added another.
