US President Donald Trump’s ‘creepy, weird,’ new nickname

Move over “The Donald,” there’s a new nickname for the President gaining traction in Washington DC, and some are spun out by it.

On the many merchandise stalls in Washington DC, during the inauguration, there were all manner of T-shirts trumpeting Trump that you could purchase.

The classic red with “Make America Great Again,” emblazoned upon it, shirts with the now iconic post-assassination picture of Donald Trump, fist aloft, framed by the words “fight, fight, fight,” and one that simply said “gods, guns and Trump”.

But right at the end of an expansive souvenir stall, in the shadow of Capitol Hill where Donald Trump became president again on Monday, was another shirt – almost an afterthought.

It was an image of Mr Trump, sunglasses on, with the phrase “Daddy’s home”.

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“Daddy” is the relatively new nickname that has became increasingly popular in Washington.

But critics have said the elevation of Mr Trump to “daddy” status is “weird” and “creepy”.

Lisa Bird, a Donald Trump supporter from Arkansas, was telling news.com.au about her plans for the inauguration and hopes for a Trump presidency.

“I want my Dad to help us all feel safe again,” she offered up.

“Well he’s not really my dad,” she added, for clarity.

A Donald Trump supporter in Washington DC with a “Daddy’s home” T-shirt. Picture: Benedict Brook

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“It’s kind of a Reagan-esque thing,” Ms Bird explained, referring to Ronald Reagan, who was US president during most of the 1980s.

“When Reagan got into office the whole world went ‘OK, we’d better back up’. Now. I want to feel safe and that’s what I hope (President Trump) does”.

She was by no means the only one referring to Mr Trump in a parental way.

In the interminable line for the Trump “victory rally” on Sunday in DC, news.com.au spotted at least one person who had donned a “Daddy’s home, get over it,” tee.

But it’s not just your average MAGA on the street. On Sunday, Republican Congressman Byron Donalds reeled off on Fox News all the things he claimed Americans would be joyous for during the 47th president’s term.

“When Americans see deportations happen, they’re gonna be like ‘thank you’. When they see the border closes, they’re gonna say ‘this is what I voted for’.

“Daddy’s back,” he added.

Republican Congressman Byron Donalds used the term “Daddy” for Donald Trump just in Sunday. (Photo by Nathan Howard / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Founder of conservative campaign group Turning Point USA Charlie Kirk, who recently accompanied Donald Trump J to Greenland has posted about Mr Trump as “Daddy”.

And when Kid Rock entertained the crowd at Sunday’s rally, he added the word to his song We the People to reference Mr Trump.

“Straighten up sucker, ‘cuz Daddy’s home”.

But the recent rise in enthusiasm for calling Mr Trump America’s collective dad may have come from conservative broadcaster and Trump acolyte Tucker Carlson.

Just a few T-shirts now, expect hoodies, caps and much mire bearing the name “daddy” within months. Picture: Benedict Brook

In October, he brought the term up at a Turning Point USA conference during a speech that itself took quite the turn.

Carlson’s use of the term “Dad” was far less sober than Ms Bird’s.

“Dad’s come home, and Dad is p*****,” he roared at the crowd, with Mr Trump being father.

“And when Dad gets home, you know what he says?,” Carlson asked, in a metaphor that apparently painted Americans and/or Democrats who didn’t respect “Dad” Mr Trump as petulant children who need to rein in their behaviour or suffer the consequences.

“You’ve been a bad little girl, and you’re getting a vigorous spanking right now.

“I’m not going to lie. This is going to hurt you a lot more than it hurts me. And you earned this. You’re getting a vigorous spanking because you’ve been a bad girl.”

There was a lot going on in that part of the speech.

Political commentator Tucker Carlson has used the term “Daddy” to refer to Donald Trump. (Photo by SHAWN THEW / POOL / AFP)

‘Creepy, weird’

A number of people said the use of the term “Daddy” was not just “creepy,” it was particularly incongruous when used to refer to Mr Trump.

“That’s just weird,” said Wajahat Ali, a commentator and writer, posted on social media after Congressman Donalds’ comments on Sunday

“This particular Daddy had committed adultery on every single one of his wives, has been held liable for sexual assault, fellated a microphone and parted with a pedophile (Jeffrey Epstein)”.

“The whole ‘Daddy’ thing is so damn creepy,” said another.

Others have contrasted the “alpha male” energy that a number of Mr Trump’s supporters seem to crave – and insist they have – with a phrase that suggests a desire to be dominated by a male father figure.

Whether it’s creepy, or simply a return to a Reagan era respect for the President, “Daddy,” is creeping up the charts of favoured nicknames for Mr Trump.

Don’t be surprised if the “Daddy’s back,” T-shirts move from the edge of the merchandise stalls to the centre in the coming months.

Originally published as US President Donald Trump’s ‘creepy, weird,’ new nickname