'Not that AARP!' Confused seniors bombard retiree group after Trump lawsuit uses initials

Over the weekend the AARP, formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons, was inadvertently linked to a lawsuit against President Donald Trump.

In litigation fighting back against the deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, one case resulted in an order from the U.S. Supreme Court titled A.A.R.P. v. Trump.

However, it wasn't the AARP most Americans are familiar with.

As Politico Playbook noted, "That caused some distress to the elder-advocacy organization AARP, formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons, whose lawyers filed a motion Saturday asking the lower court where the case originated to change its title.

The court case's title apparently refers to the initials of a Venezuelan man in custody.

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“AARP is concerned that the nomenclature adopted by the caption of this case will create substantial confusion among journalists and the public. Indeed, in the 72 hours since the litigation was filed, it has already resulted in numerous misplaced inquiries to AARP,” Politico cited a statement from the group’s lawyers.

Not that AARP!" wrote Politico.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which represents the possible deportees, said that it doesn't object to renaming the case. Trump's Justice Department was similarly amenable.

There have been questions on social media from those curious about what exactly AARP stands for in the case. Others turned to jokes and shock, while some criticized the group for being useless in representing retired persons during the Trump era.

"This kind of complaining is going to get old really fast," commented Lincoln Project co-founder and lawyer George Conway on X.

"Omg," New York Times reporter Hamed Aleaziz said simply, using the abbreviation for "oh my god" or "oh my goodness."

"The AARP must be getting a lot of calls from some extremely upset Trump voters asking them why they're trying to stop deportations," commented civil litigator Owen Barcala on Blue Sky.

"Or AARP might consider that older Americans are getting hurt badly by this administration (social security administration cuts, end of HHS offices on ageing, cuts to medical research, vaporizing retirement funds). Somebody should really do something! Maybe an association of retired people!" exclaimed political scientist Scott L. Greer.

Critics of the organization AARP alleged that they deserved all the criticism they received, as they have not been fighting for seniors against Social Security and Medicare cuts. Another encouraged the group of older Americans to join the ACLU case.

“AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan org. dedicated to advocating for Americans aged 50 and older. We have no involvement in recently filed litigation using 'A.A.R.P.' as a pseudonym, and we take no position on the matters at issue," the group said in a statement to Raw Story. It has used the letters as the name for the past 20 years.

Read Politico's report here.