The use of satire as a political weapon has a long, long history. It actually goes back thousands of years (really, it does.)

Back then, if you were a disgraced leader or public servant of any kind, the poets/bards/musicians would make up rude songs about you and you'd be publicly ridiculed that way.

Later on, that turned into political cartoons, Saturday Night Live when it was funny, and now, memes (which you can think of as 21st century political cartoons.)

All of this satire and public ridicule does have an effect. People remember it and most try to avoid being negatively portrayed in it. It really is a non-violent weapon in the war for freedom.