White House Post on Harambe Sparks Backlash

A recent post from the White House commemorating a deceased gorilla has prompted a wave of criticism directed at the president. Many people are reacting with intense anger.

Harambe was a 17-year-old western lowland silverback gorilla shot by Cincinnati Zoo staff in 2016 while they tried to protect a child who had entered his enclosure. Even after his death, he continues to be a significant figure in memes and discussions, especially in various online communities.

On Wednesday, the White House’s social media accounts celebrated Harambe, referring to him as a “legend” and a patriotic figure. They said, “He became a symbol of loyalty, strength, chaos, unity, and the strange beauty of the internet, which brings together millions for one purpose: never forget Harambe.” They continued, “Everyone remembers where they were when they heard the news. Even 10 years later, his legacy lives on. It may fade, but it will never be forgotten.”

It’s no surprise that this post has stirred significant outrage online. One response noted, “This is truly abhorrent. And this will go into the National Archives.” Others expressed frustration over the focus on Harambe while more serious issues persist, asking, “So many people are losing their rights, and the government is talking about some Harambe. What are we doing?”

The post amassed over 27 million views on social media within just 18 hours.

Joe Deters, the former Hamilton County Prosecutor who handled the case, reflected on the episode, stating that he had never seen such an intense social media reaction in any case. “Believe me, we’ve faced worse,” he said, recalling cases of serial murders. “But in terms of social media impact, this one wins by a mile.” He also mentioned that not prosecuting the child’s mother for negligence was straightforward, as he doubted a jury would find her guilty.