Lead image via Twitter
We've seen some amazing forms of protest since Trump officially became president—namely, the Women's March, which mobilized millions around the world in a spectacular display of solidarity.On January 20, Trump's inauguration also sparked a very peculiar form of protest, however—the setting up of a Twitter account for half an onion in a Ziploc bag with the goal of getting more followers than than the president. In the days since, @halfonioninabag has gained over 200,000 followers and is still quickly growing in popularity. VICE spoke to the human behind the account. (Though he has requested to remain anonymous, we have independently verified his identity.)
Half An Onion: [laughs] I started it out of complete and total frustration. I turned on the TV on inauguration day, and I guess the best word for it was I was disgusted. I think it finally felt real that day, and it had felt real before that, but something about that kind of triggered me. So I just started thinking about what I could do at this moment here and now… What would be the most annoying thing to this man who has this massive ego who really cares about ridiculous things like a Twitter following?What if I put him head-to-head with a ridiculous object and it gained some traction? That began a search through my house as to what that object should be. When I opened my fridge and saw a beautiful half onion in a bag, I said, "That's the one." I took the picture on my kitchen counter, I created the account, and I got to work with it.Why did you specifically pick half an onion?
It was the object that made me laugh most… The fact that it was half, in a Ziploc bag, and there were little bits of broccoli on it—I was like, this is perfect.Have you used the onion since you took the photo?
Yes, the onion has been used since then. I believe it was in a veggie omelette, so it had some company in there.
Yeah, I would. I think it's absolutely ridiculous. I don't want to claim that it's that serious, but I do think it's a way for people to show that they are not OK with this. I know these things have short lives; I'm not expecting much from it. But if a lot of people come together, and if it can kind of be a place that takes a look at these next four years with humour and can poke fun and also be a place where people can come together and do good things, work together—I would love for it to be that in the long run.Can you share any angry messages you've gotten on the account?
You'd be surprised at some of the profanity people would throw at an onion. I've definitely gotten some things I've never been called before… I've been called a "cunt," I've been called a "faggot," I've been called the worst of the worst, and it's for no reason. It's just a funny account, but people get riled up and protective and defensive.
I think I feel the way a lot of people seem to feel. I'm scared and concerned, but feeling much more motivated than I have in the past to speak up and do things about it. I think if there is a silver lining with everything that is happening, it's that it's bringing that out in a lot of people, and it's incredible to see. With Saturday, and [the Women's March] turnout all around the world, it's unbelievable. I guess I'm scared, but I'm loving what I'm seeing from people who are also feeling the same way.Other than following Half An Onion, what do you think people who are dissatisfied with the current state of the government in the US should do?
I wish I had the answer to that, but I'm hoping I can turn this into something where we can introduce people to options and what they can be doing, as well as having fun with it. Stay tuned and see what we can do with this following and see if we can find a place for people to fight back.
Yeah, like I said, I don't know how much longer people will care about it. I know how these things operate, but if all these people are interested in that and it can turn into something like that, I don't want to lose the humour on there, but I also would love if any charities or organizations wanted to reach out and we could come up with a way to work together—absolutely, I'd be all for it. I think a lot of the people who follow me for the humour would be up for that as well.What will happen if the account actually does get more followers than President Trump?
I look forward to him calling a press conference because of it. That would be the greatest thing in the world and ridiculous. The fact that we're even discussing that that would be an option to bother him and piss him off just kind of shows you the kind of person we're dealing with here. But if it got that far… It's very powerful, I see it as an alternate voice against this administration, but we'll see. It's got a very long way to go.Follow Allison Tierney on Twitter .And if you want to piss off President Cheeto, follow @halfonioninabag.
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VICE: Why did you set up the Half An Onion account?
Half An Onion: [laughs] I started it out of complete and total frustration. I turned on the TV on inauguration day, and I guess the best word for it was I was disgusted. I think it finally felt real that day, and it had felt real before that, but something about that kind of triggered me. So I just started thinking about what I could do at this moment here and now… What would be the most annoying thing to this man who has this massive ego who really cares about ridiculous things like a Twitter following?What if I put him head-to-head with a ridiculous object and it gained some traction? That began a search through my house as to what that object should be. When I opened my fridge and saw a beautiful half onion in a bag, I said, "That's the one." I took the picture on my kitchen counter, I created the account, and I got to work with it.Why did you specifically pick half an onion?
It was the object that made me laugh most… The fact that it was half, in a Ziploc bag, and there were little bits of broccoli on it—I was like, this is perfect.Have you used the onion since you took the photo?
Yes, the onion has been used since then. I believe it was in a veggie omelette, so it had some company in there.
Would you consider this a form of protest?
Yeah, I would. I think it's absolutely ridiculous. I don't want to claim that it's that serious, but I do think it's a way for people to show that they are not OK with this. I know these things have short lives; I'm not expecting much from it. But if a lot of people come together, and if it can kind of be a place that takes a look at these next four years with humour and can poke fun and also be a place where people can come together and do good things, work together—I would love for it to be that in the long run.
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You'd be surprised at some of the profanity people would throw at an onion. I've definitely gotten some things I've never been called before… I've been called a "cunt," I've been called a "faggot," I've been called the worst of the worst, and it's for no reason. It's just a funny account, but people get riled up and protective and defensive.
As an American, how do you feel about the next four years?
I think I feel the way a lot of people seem to feel. I'm scared and concerned, but feeling much more motivated than I have in the past to speak up and do things about it. I think if there is a silver lining with everything that is happening, it's that it's bringing that out in a lot of people, and it's incredible to see. With Saturday, and [the Women's March] turnout all around the world, it's unbelievable. I guess I'm scared, but I'm loving what I'm seeing from people who are also feeling the same way.Other than following Half An Onion, what do you think people who are dissatisfied with the current state of the government in the US should do?
I wish I had the answer to that, but I'm hoping I can turn this into something where we can introduce people to options and what they can be doing, as well as having fun with it. Stay tuned and see what we can do with this following and see if we can find a place for people to fight back.
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So you're planning on using the account in the future for something more, correct?
Yeah, like I said, I don't know how much longer people will care about it. I know how these things operate, but if all these people are interested in that and it can turn into something like that, I don't want to lose the humour on there, but I also would love if any charities or organizations wanted to reach out and we could come up with a way to work together—absolutely, I'd be all for it. I think a lot of the people who follow me for the humour would be up for that as well.What will happen if the account actually does get more followers than President Trump?
I look forward to him calling a press conference because of it. That would be the greatest thing in the world and ridiculous. The fact that we're even discussing that that would be an option to bother him and piss him off just kind of shows you the kind of person we're dealing with here. But if it got that far… It's very powerful, I see it as an alternate voice against this administration, but we'll see. It's got a very long way to go.Follow Allison Tierney on Twitter .And if you want to piss off President Cheeto, follow @halfonioninabag.