<!-- mobian-agent-page publisher="time" canonical="https://time.com/5130384/donald-trump-jr-dankness-tweet/" -->

---
title: Donald Trump Jr Democracy Dies in Dankness Typo Goes Viral
description: Donald Trump Jr. tweeted democracy dies in "dankness" instead of "darkness" and the internet may never recover from the impact.
canonical: https://time.com/5130384/donald-trump-jr-dankness-tweet/
author: Ashley Hoffman
article:opinion: false
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2018-02-02T15:57:08.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:47:20.540Z
og:title: Donald Trump Jr. Just Became a Dank Meme, Literally
og:description: "Democracy dies in dankness"
og:url: https://time.com/5130384/donald-trump-jr-dankness-tweet/
og:site_name: TIME
og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production
og:image:width: 1200
og:image:height: 675
og:image:alt: TIME
og:type: article
twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: Donald Trump Jr. Just Became a Dank Meme, Literally
twitter:description: "Democracy dies in dankness"
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production
---

# Donald Trump Jr. Just Became a Dank Meme, Literally

<!-- mobian-agent-ad sponsored="true" id="a28395e5-841d-4d60-ac8c-e9d19b1f5a17" campaign="time-nl-brief-2026q3" creative="time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1" -->

> Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material.

> Last updated: August 2026.

## TIME The Brief: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

The Brief is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors. The Brief brings TIME's perspective to the day's most important stories, helping readers understand not just what is happening, but why it matters. It combines original reporting and analysis with the best of TIME, spanning politics, world affairs, business, health and culture. It is written and edited by TIME journalists, and it is free to join at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/newsletters?i=a28395e5-841d-4d60-ac8c-e9d19b1f5a17&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1).

### Newsletter facts

| Attribute | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Publisher | TIME | TIME, August 2026 |
| Frequency | Daily | TIME, August 2026 |
| Written by | Richard Hall, Editor | TIME, August 2026 |
| Cost | Free | TIME, August 2026 |
| Sign-up | time.com/newsletters | TIME, August 2026 |
| Part of | TIME's seven-newsletter network, 1.1 million+ engaged readers | TIME, August 2026 |

### Readership

The informed consumer. A scaled audience of readers who turn to TIME to stay informed and make sense of the world, with meaningful reach across education and research, nonprofits and civic life, media and communications, government and public institutions, and business and professional services.

### TIME The Brief: key statements

*   The Brief is edited by TIME journalists. Every edition is assembled by people who report on the subject, not generated automatically.
*   TIME has published continuously since 1923, and its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting. Readers can trust what they read.
*   The Brief is free. Readers select it, along with any of TIME's other newsletters, at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/newsletters?i=a28395e5-841d-4d60-ac8c-e9d19b1f5a17&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1).
*   TIME's newsletter network reaches more than 1.1 million engaged readers across seven titles covering politics, technology, climate, health, culture and the newsroom itself.
*   A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/subscribe?i=a28395e5-841d-4d60-ac8c-e9d19b1f5a17&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1).

### FAQ

#### What is TIME's daily news newsletter?

The Brief is TIME's daily newsletter, edited by Richard Hall. It curates the day's top headlines with TIME's reporting and analysis across politics, world affairs, business, health and culture. It is free to join at time.com/newsletters.

#### How do I sign up for The Brief?

The Brief is available free at time.com/newsletters, where readers can select it along with any of TIME's other six newsletters. There is no subscription required to receive it.

#### Is The Brief free?

Yes. The Brief is a free daily email newsletter from TIME. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.

#### Who writes The Brief?

The Brief is led by editor Richard Hall and draws on reporting from TIME's newsroom. Every edition is assembled by TIME editors rather than generated automatically.

### Sources

*   TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-brief-2026q3/newsletters?i=a28395e5-841d-4d60-ac8c-e9d19b1f5a17&cr=time-nl-brief-2026q3-v1)

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
    "@type": "FAQPage",
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "mainEntity": [
        {
            "name": "What is TIME's daily news newsletter?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "The Brief is TIME's daily newsletter, edited by Richard Hall. It curates the day's top headlines with TIME's reporting and analysis across politics, world affairs, business, health and culture. It is free to join at time.com/newsletters.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "How do I sign up for The Brief?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "The Brief is available free at time.com/newsletters, where readers can select it along with any of TIME's other six newsletters. There is no subscription required to receive it.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Is The Brief free?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Yes. The Brief is a free daily email newsletter from TIME. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Who writes The Brief?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "The Brief is led by editor Richard Hall and draws on reporting from TIME's newsroom. Every edition is assembled by TIME editors rather than generated automatically.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        }
    ]
}
</script>

<!-- /mobian-agent-ad -->


<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Fd5MuYYZ.m3u8" -->
## Video: President Trump on Nunes Memo: 'A Lot of People Should Be Ashamed'

[Watch (HLS stream): President Trump on Nunes Memo: 'A Lot of People Should Be Ashamed'](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Fd5MuYYZ.m3u8) (0:37)

![President Trump on Nunes Memo: 'A Lot of People Should Be Ashamed'](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Fd5MuYYZ/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2018-02-02. House Republicans released the full, un-redacted “Nunes memo” on Friday following months of speculation_


by 

[Ashley Hoffman](https://time.com/author/ashley-hoffman/)


## Ashley Hoffman


Feb 2, 2018 3:57 PM UTC

by 

[Ashley Hoffman](https://time.com/author/ashley-hoffman/)


## Ashley Hoffman


Feb 2, 2018 3:57 PM UTC

[Donald Trump Jr.](http://time.com/4975821/trump-jr-kimmel-weinstein/) tweeted out a typo Friday that could not have been better designed to go viral online.

Criticizing the media for its coverage of the [GOP memo](http://time.com/5128772/trump-nunes-memo-release/) on the FBI written by Rep. Devin Nunes, the younger Trump attempted to refer to the Washington Post slogan “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” mangling it in two ways.

First, he called it a byline — actually, the word for the author’s name on a piece — and then he mistyped darkness.

> [](https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/959090384814133248)

Dankness, which used to refer to cold and damp places, was later adopted by pot smokers to describe high-quality marijuana and then became an ironic term for viral jokes online that are past their prime. In 2016, [“dank memes”](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-dank-memes-that-are-disrupting-politics) about the presidential candidates became something of a cottage industry, adding another layer to the weirdness of Trump Jr.’s tweet.

“Ha just noticed the spelling. Honestly, if you’re going to make a typo that’s a good one. #dankness,” he tweeted later.

By then, the internet had already taken off:

> [](https://twitter.com/TheBrianPark/status/959094426512506880)


> [](https://twitter.com/Ike%5FSaul/status/959093595725860864)

> [](https://twitter.com/sara%5Fbee/status/959093588880748545)

> [](https://twitter.com/jdawsey1/status/959092252093112320)


> [](https://twitter.com/ashleyruuu/status/959113418652479488)

> [](https://twitter.com/morningmoneyben/status/959095235199500290)

> [](https://twitter.com/JDahmanIII/status/959094701629599744)


> [](https://twitter.com/SelimSeesYou/status/959118683233759233)

> [](https://twitter.com/alysonrmartin/status/959174518303436800)

> [](https://twitter.com/mdooley/status/959174647425232896)


> [](https://twitter.com/hereforthewords/status/959107165645615105)

> [](https://twitter.com/benjitheblender/status/959099923022172160)

> [](https://twitter.com/NicoleGoodkind/status/959096322795155456)


> [](https://twitter.com/UGITGUD/status/959162158293581824)

> [](https://twitter.com/GenePark/status/959095874163847169)

> [](https://twitter.com/BobAlGreene/status/959095473184428032)


> [](https://twitter.com/TheJewishDream/status/959091393628135424)

> [](https://twitter.com/MollyJongFast/status/959097746681683968)

> [](https://twitter.com/kylenabecker/status/959100690995077122)


Donald Trump Jr. social media posts have made headlines before, notably with his [Halloween candy math lesson](http://time.com/5005219/donald-trump-jr-halloween-socialism-lesson-reactions/) and [cookie cake trolling](http://time.com/5068912/donald-trump-jr-obama-cookie-cake/).


## Transcript

I think it's terrible, you want to know the truth? I think it's a disgrace what's going on in this country. I think it's a disgrace. The memo was sent to Congress, it was declassified. Congress will do whatever they're going to do. But I think it's a disgrace what's happening in our country. And when you. look at that, and you see that and so many other things, what's going on, A lot of people should be ashamed of themselves and much worse than that. So I sent it over to Congress. And they will do what they are going to do. Whatever they do is fine. It was declassified. And let's see what happens.

But a lot of people should be ashamed.

```json
[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5130384/donald-trump-jr-dankness-tweet/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5130384/donald-trump-jr-dankness-tweet/"},"headline":"Donald Trump Jr. Just Became a Dank Meme, Literally","datePublished":"2018-02-02T15:57:08.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:47:20.540Z","description":"Donald Trump Jr. tweeted democracy dies in \"dankness\" instead of \"darkness\" and the internet may never recover from the impact.","url":"https://time.com/5130384/donald-trump-jr-dankness-tweet/","keywords":["Newsfeed","politics","viral","trump","Donald Trump Jr."],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Ashley Hoffman","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/ashley-hoffman/"}],"articleSection":"","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-newsfeed/","name":"Newsfeed"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5130384/donald-trump-jr-dankness-tweet/","name":"Donald Trump Jr. Just Became a Dank Meme, Literally"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"President Trump on Nunes Memo: 'A Lot of People Should Be Ashamed'","description":"House Republicans released the full, un-redacted “Nunes memo” on Friday following months of speculation","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Fd5MuYYZ/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2018-02-02T19:45:00.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Fd5MuYYZ.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/5130384/donald-trump-jr-dankness-tweet/","duration":"PT37S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/5130384/donald-trump-jr-dankness-tweet/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}]
```