Recommendations of the Editorial team
In times when social media has become an opinion-forming platform, TikTok has long since become a venue for political campaigns, ideological debates and culture wars. Nowadays, even public institutions, politicians and parties use rhetoric and representations influenced by Generation Z and their apocalyptic humor for outreach purposes. This time, a TikTok video from the US Democrats made the Germans sit up and take notice: The Democrats’ official TikTok account published a video compilation of the future New York mayor Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump – accompanied by an edit of the song “Friesenjung” by Ski Aggu.
“A little Frisian boy”
The video, which has amassed over 220,000 likes since its appearance on November 22, shows the mayor-elect in action – meeting with Donald Trump, speaking to voters and on the street with New Yorkers. The song by Ski Aggu is playing in the background, which says: “I am a Frisian boy, I am a little Frisian boy”.
Trump is “mogged”
In the scene where Mamdani is seen grinning next to President Trump, a lettering appears above Trump’s eyes with the word “mogged.” “Mogged” is also the caption of the video.
For those who didn’t grow up linguistically in the online world of Gen Z: “Mogged”, originally a slang term from the online community, means to be significantly surpassed or overshadowed by someone else, typically in competitive or comparison contexts such as appearance, skills or success. The term describes one person making another feel inferior.
Watch the TikTok video here
A positive meeting – with a surprising amount of unity
Mamdani also gave many Americans the impression of being superior during his first meeting with the US President on November 22nd. While the two opposing politicians had previously insulted each other to the point of blood, the meeting in the White House was surprisingly positive.
At the subsequent press conference in the Oval Office, Trump said: “We agreed on a lot more than I thought.” Mamdani added: “What I really appreciate about the president is that our meeting focused not on differences, of which there are many, but on the common goal of serving New Yorkers.”
According to NBC, Mamdani said he still believes President Donald Trump is a “fascist” and a “despot” but sees their first face-to-face meeting at the White House on Friday as an “opportunity” to work together to lower the cost of living for New Yorkers. The president also emphasized to reporters that he would “cheer on” Mamdani.
A fascist? – “You can say it”
A specific question from a journalist at the joint press conference as to whether Mamdani still thinks Trump is a fascist attracted particular attention on social media. Before Mamdani could respond, Trump said with a smile: “That’s fine, feel free to say yes. That’s easier than explaining it. That doesn’t bother me.”
Supporters of Mamdani celebrated the moment on social media as a victory for the future mayor. It was often said that Mamdani was such a shrewd politician that he used his charm alone to get Trump to admit that he was a fascist.
A 90s hit by Otto Waalkes
Of course, Ski Aggu has nothing to do with the political complexities of the meeting – but the cheerful, slightly ironic sound of the “Friesenjung” song fits the optimistic message that the Democrats want to convey on TikTok.
“Friesenjung”, released in 2023, is not only by the Berlin rapper with ski goggles, but is a joint work with the Dutch musician Joost Klein – and Otto Waalkes.
The parody of the parody
Waalkes released the original song “Friesenjung” in 1993, a parody of Sting’s global hit “Englishman in New York”. In it he humorously discussed the everyday life of a Frisian. Rappers Ski Aggu and Joost Klein picked up Waalkes’ title and used the chorus and another passage as a sample for their “Friesenjung” reinterpretation. After a campaign on social media in which Ski Aggu fans showered the comedian with “Please, Otto, please,” Waalkes approved the use of the song.
Ski Aggu’s “Friesenjung” is therefore a parody of a parody – and the Democrats’ TikTok video, which declares Trump “mogged”, can also only be understood as such, at the expense of the American president.