A beloved Canadian children's book character has been dragged into an international controversy involving a deadly U.S. military strike and allegations of war crimes. The publisher of Franklin the Turtle has issued a strong condemnation after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used an AI-generated image of the character to make light of a scandal.
Controversial Meme Sparks Backlash
On Sunday, December 1, 2024, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared a post on social media featuring what appeared to be an AI-generated book cover. The image was titled "Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists" and depicted the fictional turtle riding a helicopter and firing missiles at boats. Hegseth captioned the post, "For your Christmas wish list."
The meme was a direct reference to a controversial incident from September 2, 2024. According to reports from The Washington Post, Hegseth gave a directive to "kill everybody" ahead of a U.S. military strike on an alleged drug smuggling boat. After the first attack, two men survived. U.S. Navy Admiral Frank Bradley then reportedly followed Hegseth's command to leave no survivors and ordered a second, fatal strike.
Publisher Defends Canadian Icon's Values
The response from the character's owner was swift and unequivocal. Kids Can Press, the Canadian-owned publisher of Paulette Bourgeois's Franklin the Turtle series, posted a statement on social media platform Bluesky denouncing the "unauthorized" use of its intellectual property.
The statement read: "Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and stands for kindness, empathy, and inclusivity. We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image, which directly contradicts these values."
White House Response and Ongoing Fallout
The attempted meme backfired, drawing further attention to the underlying scandal. Lawmakers have warned that the order to attack survivors could be considered a war crime. On Monday, December 2, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the second strike occurred but claimed Hegseth did not order it, instead placing responsibility on Admiral Bradley.
Later that evening, Hegseth posted on social media, describing Admiral Bradley as an "American hero" who has his "100% support." He wrote, "America is fortunate to have such men protecting us. When this @DeptofWar says we have the back of our warriors — we mean it."
The incident highlights how symbols of childhood innocence can be weaponized in political discourse, sparking a firm defense from a Canadian cultural institution against what it sees as a violation of its character's core values.
