Can online trolling ever be used to bring about positive social change in America? It sounds paradoxical, but that’s exactly what comedian Josh Androsky, an inveterate internet troublemaker, is attempting to do. In a new, Comedy Central-backed video called “Trolling For Greatness,” he spells out his unique strategy. After ranting a bit about the current, largely distressing crop of GOP presidential candidates, Androsky asks, “Don’t you wish you could turn their bullshit back on then and, I don’t know, maybe help some of the of the people they’re trampling on along the way?” Recently, through his belligerently named @ShutUpAndrosky Twitter account, Androsky tried without success to get Texas senator Ted Cruz to block him on the social media service. Though Cruz ultimately didn’t rise to the bait, Androsky did manage to raise money along the way for Planned Parenthood, which has become a political lightning rod of late.
Now, Josh Androsky is setting his sights even higher: “the Mr. Burns of Scrooge McDucks, Donald Trump.” Trump is known for his volatile temper, so perhaps he will make a more entertaining target than party pooper Ted Cruz. In any event, Androsky is taking advantage of the Halloween season and asking people to mock Mr. Trump through the unlikely medium of pumpkins. “Whatever you think will piss him off the most.” Fellow socially conscious trolls are then asked to tweet pictures of their work @ShutUpAndrosky and @realDonaldTrump with the unappetizing hashtag #Trumpkin, which bears a queasy, likely intentional resemblance to an infamous slang term. Androsky is playfully coy about his endgame here: “The best Trumpkin? Well, let’s just say I’ll make sure [Donald Trump] sees it.” Those who wish to join Josh Androsky in trolling for the greater good can use #Trumpkin on Facebook and Instagram as well.