Liz Truss is launching a free speech social media platform – but can it outlive a lettuce? Discover my satirical map, “The Lifespan of a Lettuce,” and how it playfully tracks Truss’s brief time in power with truth, humour, and tube map logic.
When I first created my satirical art print, 'The Lifespan of a Lettuce,' I wasn’t expecting it to remain relevant years after Liz Truss’s historic, blink-and-you 'll-miss-it stint as UK Prime Minister. But here we are.
In a political twist that feels plucked from parody, Liz Truss is now preparing to launch her social media platform. She's supposedly a champion of free speech and resists what she calls the “deep state” and mainstream media. She’s increasingly aligning herself with the radical right, expressing vocal admiration for both Donald Trump and Elon Musk, particularly Musk’s attacks on regulation and state spending. According to recent reports, Truss’s new platform is expected to go live this summer.
It all adds a fresh layer of irony to the lettuce joke that never really stopped giving.
The Map That Wilted Truss: A Quick Recap
When Truss took office in September 2022, the media circus was intense. It was so fierce that a now-legendary livestream by The Daily Star placed a fresh iceberg lettuce next to a photo of the PM and asked the world: “Will Liz Truss outlast a lettuce?”
It refers to the short shelf life of a lettuce, a vegetable known for its quick decay. The joke was a playful way to question the longevity of Truss's leadership, given the intense media scrutiny and political challenges she faced.
She lasted just 44 days, officially making her Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister. That inspired my satirical underground-style map, “The Lifespan of a Lettuce,” which charts her brief tenure, key political moments, public gaffes, and the immortal lettuce that saw her off.
These include her controversial policies, flip-flopping on key issues, clashes with her party members, and awkward interactions with the press. The 'lettuce line' symbolises the enduring truth that outlasted her leadership.
Liz Truss, Lettuce, and the Elastic Nature of “Truth”
As Truss now targets a free speech platform, it raises serious questions about the truth and who gets to define it. Her rhetoric is filled with warnings about censorship and deep-state manipulation, echoing some of the loudest voices on the American right.
It’s a powerful narrative, especially online. But it also seems to dodge accountability, much like her premiership dodged fundamental economic reality.
My lettuce map isn’t just a joke (although yes, it’s a good one). It’s a commentary on the fragility of truth in politics. The lettuce was never about salad – it was a stand-in for endurance, credibility, and sanity in a media storm of spin.
With Luz Truss (as some call her satirical alter-ego) entering the digital free speech fray, the question remains: Will this new truth-telling crusade outlast a vegetable?
A Tube Map With Crunch
The Lifespan of a Lettuce map remains one of my most popular political pieces. It’s printed on gallery-quality art paper and available as a greeting card, art print, or collectable for lovers of satire, politics, or sound design.
- Explore the full map here and other political maps
- Perfect for: Political junkies, satire lovers, and anyone who remembers that October with disbelief.
- Bonus: It still outlasts her.
Final Stop: Free Speech or Feedback Loop?
As Liz Truss prepares to create her echo chamber, masquerading as a free speech haven, I’ll watch closely… and maybe update the map if inspiration strikes again.
Because in a world where lettuce can beat a Prime Minister, and satire becomes reality faster than the Northern Line during rush hour, truth deserves a good laugh – and maybe a good map too.
Liz Truss Lettuce Meme – Q&A
What is the origin of the Liz Truss lettuce meme?
The Liz Truss lettuce meme started in October 2022, during her short tenure as UK Prime Minister. The Daily Star, a British tabloid, launched a live stream featuring a head of lettuce next to a framed photo of Liz Truss. The challenge was to see which would last longer: Truss's premiership or the lettuce. This was in response to mounting political instability and predictions that her leadership would be short-lived.
What does the Liz Truss lettuce meme mean?
The meme symbolised how fragile and short-lived Liz Truss's leadership appeared to be. By comparing her political survival to the shelf-life of a 93p iceberg lettuce, the joke caught public attention. When she resigned just 44 days into the job, the lettuce—decorated with googly eyes, a wig, and even a crown—was declared the winner in a surreal moment of British political satire.
What is the Liz Truss lettuce meme?
The Liz Truss lettuce meme is a viral internet joke that began when the Daily Star live-streamed a lettuce to see if it would outlast Liz Truss’s time as Prime Minister. Truss resigned before the lettuce wilted, making the stunt a widely shared symbol of political instability and absurdity in the UK.
What is the Liz Truss lettuce plaque?
After Liz Truss resigned and the lettuce officially outlasted her, the Daily Star celebrated by placing a commemorative plaque next to the now-famous lettuce. The plaque, marked with "The Lettuce Outlasted Liz Truss," became a humorous nod to one of the most bizarre moments in recent British political history.
How was the Liz Truss lettuce meme discussed on Reddit?
Reddit users—especially on subreddits like r/ukpolitics, r/BritishProblems, and r/politics—quickly embraced the Liz Truss lettuce meme. They shared clips and screen grabs from the live stream, adding layers of commentary and humour. It became a running joke and a pointed critique of UK political leadership at the time.
How long did the Liz Truss lettuce last?
The original Daily Star lettuce was part of a live YouTube stream launched on 14 October 2022. Truss resigned on October 20, meaning the lettuce lasted at least six days longer than her premiership. The lettuce remained visibly intact throughout the stream, especially once it was crowned in celebration of “winning.”
Who created the Liz Truss lettuce meme?
The meme was sparked by a Daily Star article referencing a column in The Economist that described Truss as having "the shelf life of a lettuce." Seizing on the line, the paper set up a live webcam comparing the real-life lifespan of a lettuce to Truss’s time in office. The stunt went viral almost immediately.
Is there a video of the Liz Truss lettuce?
Yes. The Daily Star streamed the entire event live on YouTube, and clips of the moment Truss resigned, followed by the lettuce being crowned and a celebration featuring music and dancing, were widely shared on social media. The video became a symbol of modern political satire in the UK.
