US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the federal government and all the state governments have agreed to defund the country’s police force after a massive backlash on Instagram over the killing of George Floyd.
Celebrities and everyday Instagram users had taken to the platform to post blackout pictures in their support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
“We hear you loud and clear, believe me,” the president said. “The black screens of Instagram have made an overwhelming point that we can no longer ignore, the police force will be defunded and demilitarized.”
Despite over a week of violent protests and riots, the president had struck a confrontational tone with the #BlackLivesMatter protesters.
Trump even threatened, at one point, to call in the military.
However, a miraculous change of heart took place overnight with many sources inside the White House attributing the president’s about-face to the deluge of Instagram posts.
“We could see him tear up when he saw all the black screens on the Instagram accounts he follows. They were not only in the United States but all around the world,” said one senior White House official.
Instagram users reacted to the news by posting on Twitter.
“We made a difference!” one user Tweeted. “Wow, this feels amazing. I’ve never made a difference in anything that mattered before!”
#BlackLivesMatter protesters that had been protesting for over a week also took the opportunity to hold massive impromptu celebrations.
“We out here this entire time sweating and bleeding, who knew that we could inspire change just sittin’ on our asses at home and Instagramming,” said one protester.
