Viral Trump Dancer’s Cousin Slain

Iranian Influencer Shares Grief and Outrage Following Cousin’s Death Amidst Regime Crackdown

An Iranian social media personality, who gained widespread attention for her rendition of the viral “Trump dance” following the reported assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has spoken out about the profound personal loss of her cousin and levied sharp criticism against the ruling Islamic regime.

Moone Rahim, who uses the handle ‘Your favourite Iranian baddie’ on the social platform X, shared a video on March 2nd showcasing her performing the energetic “Trump YMCA” dance. The clip quickly went viral, amassing nearly 10 million views and sparking a wave of similar content from other Iranians expressing their sentiments.

However, just days later, on Wednesday, Rahim revealed a more somber reality to her over 92,000 followers. She announced the tragic death of her “beloved cousin” the previous week, stating unequivocally that he “would be alive if there was no Islamic regime.”

In an emotional and extensive post accompanying a childhood photograph of herself and her cousin, Rahim articulated the depth of her despair. “This picture was probably the last time I was really happy in my life, before I realized where I was born and where I live,” she wrote. She continued, lamenting, “The Islamic regime took everything I could have had: my freedom, my rights, my happiness, my youth, and so much more.”

Rahim, who resides in the United States and is pursuing a PhD in engineering according to her social media profile, expressed a profound sense of helplessness. She noted that despite relocating to America with the hope of a better future, she is now forced to witness her homeland “getting ruined” and her “sisters and brothers getting murdered by the Islamic regime.” The stark reality, she conveyed, is that “Every night one of us dies, and the whole world ignores us.”

The influencer accused the global community of turning a blind eye to the suffering of innocent Iranians, including children and pregnant women, who are reportedly “dying just so the IRGC ideology survives.” Her poignant message underscored the perceived indifference to the plight of her people, stating, “They took our beautiful country, our lives, our families, and our freedom, and the whole world is just watching in silence.” She concluded her heartfelt tribute with a mournful “Rest in peace, my brother.”

Rahim’s viral dance video was part of a broader trend where many Iranians used social media to share celebratory content following reports of a joint US-Israel military operation that reportedly killed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei on February 28th. These videos depicted scenes of jubilant crowds dancing in the streets and individuals recreating the energetic dance moves in private gatherings, a stark contrast to the grim reality described by Rahim.

Regime’s Iron Fist: Crackdowns and Threats Intensify

While international attention was drawn to the viral celebrations, the Iranian regime has reportedly continued its severe crackdown on its own population amidst ongoing regional tensions. Recent reports indicate a disturbing escalation in the government’s tactics.

• Rounding Up Civilians: The regime has allegedly begun apprehending civilians accused of aiding its adversaries.
• Threatening Communications: Citizens have reportedly received threatening text messages, warning that those who participate in street protests will face a “blow stronger than January 8th,” a date associated with a violent crackdown on anti-regime demonstrators.
• Disinformation Campaigns: According to reports from the Financial Times, the Iranian population is being subjected to a continuous barrage of messages containing false claims about US casualties and impending victories, aimed at manipulating public perception.

One such message, purportedly sent to “the people of Iran” by the intelligence arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated: “The wicked enemy, desperate to achieve its goals in the battlefield, is once again seeking to instill fear and instigate street chaos.” The message further warned that “Internal traitors to the homeland” who take to the streets would face severe repercussions.

A regime official, speaking on state television, issued a chilling warning to those perceived as dissenters: “Once the dust from all this sedition settles, we’ll grab you by the collar, one by one,” directly addressing “liberals, supporters of the west and those in love with Zionism and imperialism.” The official ominously added, “We’ll make your mothers mourn for you.”

Arrests and Fatalities: The Human Cost of Repression

The crackdown has manifested in widespread arrests. Last week, regime police chief Ahmadreza Radan reported that 500 individuals had been apprehended on accusations of sharing information with enemy entities. He specified that half of these cases involved serious incidents, including individuals who allegedly provided intelligence for targeting purposes and those who filmed strike locations.

These arrests and threats come in the wake of significant anti-government protests that occurred in Iran in January, prior to the current escalation of conflict. The government’s response to these demonstrations was described as the deadliest crackdown in the history of the Islamic Republic. Authorities blamed external forces, specifically Israel and the US, for instigating what they termed “violent riots” aimed at destabilizing the clerical establishment.

While Tehran officially acknowledged that over 3,000 people perished during the unrest, attributing the violence to “terrorist acts,” human rights organizations present a far more dire picture. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has documented over 7,000 fatalities, with warnings that the actual death toll could be substantially higher. The agency also reported the tragic deaths of more than 220 children during the crackdown. Other human rights groups and medical professionals have provided even higher estimates, with some suggesting that as many as 30,000 individuals may have been killed.

The severity of the regime’s actions was further highlighted last week with the reported execution of three individuals accused of killing two police officers during the anti-regime protests. Champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi, aged 19, was reportedly subjected to a public hanging along with Mehdi Ghasemi and Saeed Davoudi in the city of Qom.