Overview
- The Kinkade Family Foundation has sent a cease-and-desist and is consulting counsel to sue over the use of Thomas Kinkade’s “Morning Pledge” without permission.
- DHS continues to host paintings by Morgan Weistling, John Gast and Edward Percy Morgan, asserting it is “unapologetically proud” of celebrating American heritage.
- Social media posts feature idealized frontier and settler imagery bookended by memes and videos lauding the administration’s deportation campaign.
- Far-right activists and GOP figures including Jack Posobiec, Benny Johnson, Matt Gaetz, Madison Cawthorn and Mayra Flores have amplified the artwork, generating millions of views.
- Copyright specialists warn DHS may face multiple infringement claims after using protected paintings and film audio without securing rights.