The Department of Education released a graphic on September 19 featuring a packed college‑football stadium and the slogans "MAKE COLLEGE FOOTBALL GREAT AGAIN" and "MAKE EDUCATION GREAT AGAIN". The image was shared on X amid a national debate over student representation and campus inclusivity.
The graphic echoed a tweet from last week by Republican candidate Bo French for the Texas Railroad Commission, who posted a photo of South Asian students cheering at a University of Texas game and described them as "foreign". French’s remarks drew accusations of racism from student groups and civil‑rights advocates.
X users reacted with fury. One comment asked if the department was endorsing French, while another called the post "disgusting" and demanded its deletion. A third user slammed it as propaganda and racism, citing the low‑rent nature of the rhetoric. The backlash spread across the platform in a matter of hours.
French faces mounting scrutiny and a potential ethics inquiry. Student organizers have called for a formal apology, and the department has yet to issue a response. The incident has reignited concerns about federal agencies using social media for partisan messaging.
Lawmakers are preparing a hearing on the Department of Education’s social‑media conduct, set for October 3. A formal statement or removal of the graphic is expected before the hearing, as congressional committees scrutinize the agency’s role in political messaging.