Talk about stirring the pot! Donald Trump Jr.’s X post captioned “Make Rooftop Koreans Great Again!”—featuring a 1992 photo of an armed Korean American on a rooftop—has sparked outrage among Los Angeles’ Korean American community. The Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA) called it “reckless,” slamming Trump Jr. for exploiting the trauma of the 1992 LA riots amid fresh unrest over immigration raids. With tensions already high, is this meme just a thoughtless jab, or a dangerous call to arms?

What’s the Deal?

On June 8, 2025, Trump Jr. posted a photo by Hyungwon Kang, a former LA Times photojournalist, showing a Korean American with a rifle during the 1992 riots, when shop owners defended Koreatown from looters after the Rodney King verdict. KAFLA blasted the post, saying it mocks their community’s pain—$400 million in damages hit Koreatown, half the riots’ $1 billion toll. They also criticized the ongoing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which have arrested 118 people and disrupted Korean-owned businesses, for lacking “due legal procedures.” Kang, whose photo was used without permission, called the post “out of context” and is mulling legal action.

“The 1992 chaos was life-or-death; today’s protests aren’t the same,” he said.

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Who’s Feeling the Impact?

Korean Americans in LA, especially Koreatown’s 100,000-strong community, are livid. Business owners, already reeling from ICE raids targeting places like Santee Alley, face more losses. Immigrants, including Korean Americans with limited English, are caught in the crackdown’s confusion. The 15 million X followers of Trump Jr. amplify the post’s reach, risking racial tension. Protesters—400 clashed with LAPD over ICE raids—feel the heat as 2,000 National Guard troops patrol LA. Governor Gavin Newsom, suing over the Guard’s deployment, calls it a “manufactured crisis.” Photographer Kang’s fight for his image adds a personal sting.

Why It’s Awesome?

This mess is a raw snapshot of today’s divides! KAFLA’s fierce pushback shows Korean Americans aren’t staying quiet—70% of Asian Americans want leaders to address hate, per polls. Kang’s stand against misuse of his work is a bold flex for creators. X is ablaze, with users split: some call Trump Jr.’s post “a sick joke,” others cheer “Rooftop Koreans” as a pro-gun rallying cry. The debate’s unfiltered, exposing how history gets weaponized. But the risk? It’s fanning flames in a city already on edge, with 10 arrests Sunday alone.

Why It Matters?

The 1992 riots, sparked by Rodney King’s beating, left 63 dead and Koreatown gutted, exposing racial and economic fault lines. Trump Jr.’s post, evoking armed vigilantes, risks glorifying violence in a city where 80% of residents want de-escalation. ICE’s raids, nabbing 118, and Trump’s Guard deployment—first without state consent in 60 years—echo 1992’s law-and-order clashes. KAFLA’s plea to respect their trauma hits hard when 30% of Korean Americans report rising hate since 2020. This could shape how communities navigate race, immigration, and free speech in a polarized U.S.

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What’s Next?

KAFLA’s demanding respect, while Kang’s lawyer-up vibe could spark a copyright showdown. ICE raids, with 44 arrested in Santee Alley, might escalate as Trump threatens Marines. California’s lawsuit against the Guard deployment heads to court, with Newsom vowing to protect “sanctuary” policies. X chatter suggests more protests, but LAPD’s 9,000 officers aim to keep order.

“Don’t exploit our pain,” KAFLA says.

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