President Donald Trump engaged in a notable social media post on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, marking Cinco de Mayo with a graphic suggesting a new name for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The post, shared on Truth Social, featured an eagle-and-shield design, reminiscent of federal agency insignia, above the acronym "NICE," a play on the existing ICE acronym that has garnered traction among the President's supporters online. This action took place on the tenth anniversary of President Trump's widely discussed "taco bowl" post from 2016, further intertwining cultural celebration with political commentary.
"GREAT IDEA!!! DO IT." — President Donald Trump, Truth Social
The concept of rebranding ICE as "NICE" did not originate from the White House or official channels. Instead, it emerged as a suggestion within social media circles, eventually reaching President Trump. He publicly endorsed the idea in late April, taking to Truth Social to express his approval in his distinctive style, writing: "GREAT IDEA!!! DO IT." Tuesday's post served to re-elevate this concept into the public discourse, strategically timed to Cinco de Mayo, a day of significant cultural importance tied to Mexican heritage in the United States.
This is not the first instance of President Trump using Cinco de Mayo as an occasion to merge festive observance with political messaging, particularly concerning issues related to immigration and border policy. For many years, the President has leveraged the holiday to underscore his administration's stances on these critical topics. However, among these instances, one moment has demonstrated exceptional endurance and public recall: a photograph from 2016.
During his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, President Trump posted a picture of himself at his desk inside Trump Tower. In the image, he gave a thumbs-up gesture, with a taco bowl prominently placed before him. The accompanying caption read: "Happy #CincoDeMayo! The best taco bowls are made in Trump Tower Grill. I love Hispanics!" This photograph rapidly circulated across the internet within hours of its posting and has maintained a persistent presence in online culture. Every May 5th since its original publication, the image re-emerges across various social media platforms, shared by new audiences encountering it for the first time, alongside those who remember the original viral phenomenon.
President Trump himself acknowledged the lasting impact of the 2016 post last year, by resharing it with the note: "This was so wonderful, 9 years ago today!" This year, on its tenth anniversary, the taco bowl photo once again began to circulate widely as social media users unearthed the original image, often alongside discussions and reactions to the new "NICE" graphic promoted by President Trump. Online commentary reflected a mix of nostalgia and renewed engagement; one user reposted the 2016 image, simply labeling it "Cinco de Trumpo," while another described it as "such a classic." A third user went further, proclaiming it "maybe the greatest tweet of all time."
The juxtaposition of the "NICE" rebranding proposal and the enduring "taco bowl" image on Cinco de Mayo highlights President Trump's continued use of social media as a direct channel for political communication and cultural commentary. It also underscores the ongoing national conversation surrounding immigration enforcement, national identity, and the role of federal agencies. The White House did not provide a response to requests for comment regarding Tuesday's Truth Social post. The events of this Cinco de Mayo reaffirm the potent and often provocative nature of political messaging in the digital age, particularly when it intersects with established cultural observances. The discussion surrounding these posts reflects diverse perspectives on immigration policy, cultural appropriation, and effective governance.
