The Trump administration isn’t retreating into its shell after the publisher of the beloved children’s book series “Franklin the Turtle” knocked officials’ “unauthorized” use of the cartoon reptile.
The DOJ post included an illustrated cover of a fake book titled “Franklin Becomes A Deportation Judge” that showed the fictional turtle wearing a white wig and a judge’s robe and holding a gavel in his hand.
Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted an apparently AI-generated cover of a book titled “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists” on social media. The cover featured Franklin in a helicopter and apparently firing missiles at drug boats, making light of the administration’s boat strike scandal.
“For your Christmas wish list,” Hegseth wrote alongside the image.
Kids Can Press, the Canadian-owned publisher of Paulette Bourgeois’ “Franklin the Turtle” books, denounced Hegseth’s post and its appropriation of the character the next day.
“Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and stands for kindness, empathy, and inclusivity,” the statement read. “We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image, which directly contradicts these values.”
Other departments under President Donald Trump have continued to appropriate the character to advance the administration’s agenda. The Department of Education used Franklin to claim that the department “doesn’t do any educating.” The Department of Health and Human Services shared a faux cover featuring the turtle avoiding “ultra-processed foods” in an effort to “Make America Healthy Again.”
Kids Can Press did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.