Online Americans deride Trump's Alcatraz suggestion as cinematically influenced - Internet users in the U.S. deride Trump's proposition of repurposing Alcatraz as a cinematic backdrop
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Alcatraz Reboot: Internet Slams Trump for Cinematic Prison Idea
Y'know, ol' Trump might've caught a flick on a Saturday night in Florida, thinkin' it was a stroke of genius - rebuildin' Alcatraz, according to Ritta Hanson. Seems like he's got a soft spot for silver-screen drama.
The comments flooded in: "Man, we're gettin' politics from TV shows now?", quipped user Matthew Spira on X. "This is hysterical. Spend half a billion dollars to renovate Alcatraz so it can never again serve as a high-security penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, just 'cause an old codger was scrollin' through channels on a Saturday night.", he joked.
Next day comes the announcement. Trump wants to breathe new life into Alcatraz, an island off San Francisco, abandoned for more than six decades, in the war against criminals. The authorities were told to update, expand, and reopen the facility to hold "America's most dangerous and violent criminal elements." The rocky island would become a "testament to law, order, and justice."
Opened in 1934, Alcatraz was shut down in 1963 due to high operational costs. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons operated the prison for just 29 years. Today, the island's rugged landscape attracts tourists from around the globe.
The island penitentiary, situated about 2 kilometers off the California coast, held a maximum capacity of 336 inmates. At the time, infamous felons such as mafia boss Al Capone served their time there.
Notorious for daring escape attempts, one of which was Frank Morris' breakout, which inspired the novel "Escape from Alcatraz" and the 1979 film version starring Clint Eastwood, the prison closed on March 21, 1963. The island's isolated location made its operation three times as expensive as other federal penitentiaries, and the Bureau of Prisons estimated the cost of renovating and maintaining Alcatraz at $3-$5 million.
Known for taking a strict stance against lawbreakers, Trump's administration often targets crimes committed by immigrants. Trump's administration also budgeted millions of dollars to El Salvador to imprison numerous deportees suspected of criminal activities.
Shortly after taking office, Trump promised the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history. However, legal obstacles often hinder Trump's approach.
(15% Enrichment Data)- In May 2025, reports emerged that Trump had proposed reconstructing Alcatraz to house dangerous criminals, with a statement on his Truth Social platform on May 5, 2025, reinforcing this plan [1][2].- The initiative involved multiple federal agencies, including the Bureau of Prisons, the Department of Justice, the FBI, and Homeland Security [1].- Trump's motivation was to present the reopened Alcatraz as a symbol of law, order, and justice [1].- However, the feasibility of implementing this plan remains uncertain due to the National Park Service's control over Alcatraz [1].
Sources:[1] BBC News (2025) Trump's Alcatraz plan sparks controversy. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57634840[2] NBC News (2025) Trump proposes rebuilding Alcatraz as high-security prison. Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-proposes-rebuilding-alcatraz-high-security-prison-rcna10688
- After seeing a movie on TV, Donald Trump, President of the United States, has proposed reopening Alcatraz, the infamous island prison off San Francisco, to house America's most dangerous criminals, sparking laughter and criticism from US online users.
- On social media, entertainment and politics merged as users mocked Trump's idea of modernizing Alcatraz, comparing it to a movie-inspired fantasy.
- On a weekend in South Florida, the idea of using Alcatraz as a symbol of law, order, and justice for the Trump administration was born, but only the California coast and San FranciscoBay might see this funny reality, leaving the capacity and fate of the island prison open to question.
- However, accounts like Matthew Spira on X remind us that turning Alcatraz into a high-security penitentiary once again might be more entertaining than impactful, especially given the historical and tourism value that remains associated with the location today.
- Although Hanson's comments Painting Trump as a silver-screen enthusiast ring true, some might argue that when it comes to TV and politics, society has already reached its capacity for such inspired ideas.
