The publisher of the beloved children’s book series “Franklin the Turtle” took to social media on Monday to express disapproval of a meme shared by Army Secretary Pete Hegseth on X, which they termed “violent” and a “misappropriation” of their character.
On Sunday, Hegseth posted a parody meme titled “Franklin Targets Narco-Terrorists,” featuring a turtle operating a rocket-propelled grenade launcher against gunmen on a boat. He humorously remarked, “On my Christmas wishlist…” as he shared images of fake book covers.
Kids Can Press, based in Canada, which publishes the “Franklin” series, issued a statement condemning the meme on the following day. They described Franklin as a Canadian icon who embodies kindness, empathy, and inclusivity. The statement vehemently rejected any violent or defamatory use of Franklin’s name or image that contradicts these principles.
When asked for a comment by Fox News Digital, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that Franklin the Turtle should not be associated with drug cartels or praised by narco-terrorists.
The meme appears to allude to ongoing U.S. airstrikes targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean. This has recently become a topic of controversy, especially after critics pointed out that some attacks might not have Congressional approval.
Meanwhile, Hegseth has been under scrutiny alongside the Trump administration regarding military actions against suspected “narco-terrorists.” This scrutiny intensified after a September attack on a Venezuelan drug boat.
On Monday, the White House confirmed and justified the second attack, with press secretary Caroline Levitt asserting that it was executed in “self-defense” within international waters, compliant with armed conflict laws.
According to reports, Hegseth verbally directed the September attack that resulted in the death of the entire crew of the suspected drug ship, which led to calls from lawmakers for tighter oversight of such military operations. A follow-up attack was reportedly ordered to eliminate the remaining survivors on the boat.
In a response on X, Hegseth commented on the media coverage, stating that “fake news” often presents erroneous and inflammatory narratives against their military efforts, which are meant to be effective and lethal against drug trafficking.
He emphasized their goal to interdict dangerous drugs and target individuals associated with designated terrorist organizations, insisting that those who’ve been killed all belong to such organizations.
