Donald Trump is taking a victory lap in the culture wars — this time with Cracker Barrel.
The president posted a 33-second, apparently AI-powered video to X on Thursday that showed him digitally inserted into Cracker Barrel’s classic logo.
With the Village People’s 1970s hit “YMCA” playing in the background, Trump’s avatar is seen in a suit shaking hands with the Old Timer, also known as “Uncle Herschel,” in front of the familiar orange-and-brown logo.
In later frames, Trump trades places with the figure entirely, leaning against the barrel in suspenders, clapping and laughing in folksy unison.
At one point he gestures forward with a serious look, as if seizing the stage, before the video ends with Trump and the Old Timer dressed alike, sharing a laugh in front of the sign.
The Cracker Barrel video was one of a string of AI-powered videos the president posted on Thursday, which also included a spoof depicting Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie locked in a sumo wrestling match.
The surreal montage comes just weeks after Cracker Barrel found itself in the middle of a political firestorm.
The Tennessee-based chain rolled out a redesigned, minimalist logo on Aug. 19 that eliminated its longtime imagery of the Old Timer sitting by a barrel.
Executives framed the shift as a modernization, but the backlash was swift — particularly from conservative commentators and customers who accused the company of “erasing heritage” and bowing to so-called “woke” trends.
Shares of Cracker Barrel tumbled more than 12% before the company reversed course, apologizing and pledging to restore the old logo.
Trump, who had urged the chain on Truth Social to “return to the old logo” and listen to “the ultimate poll” of its customers, quickly claimed credit for the about-face.
“Congratulations ‘Cracker Barrel’ on changing your logo back,” he posted after the company’s reversal.
“All of your fans very much appreciate it. Make lots of money and, most importantly, make your customers happy again!”
The White House even told reporters that Cracker Barrel had privately thanked Trump for his role in the decision — a detail that further politicized the controversy and turned a brand-marketing debate into a partisan flashpoint.
Cracker Barrel’s stock has since rebounded, but the episode underscored how corporate identity decisions can quickly spill into the political arena when amplified by high-profile figures.
Cracker Barrel logo character is commonly known as Uncle Herschel, colloquially referred to as the “Old Timer.”
The illustration was inspired by company founder Dan Evins’ real-life uncle, Herschel McCartney, and has been part of the logo since 1977.
Both names — Uncle Herschel and Old Timer — are used interchangeably by fans and in media to describe the iconic figure in the logo.
The Post has sought comment from Cracker Barrel.
