Children’s Icon Franklin the Turtle Caught in International Row Over Military Cartoon

A beloved Canadian children’s book character, Franklin the Turtle, has become the center of an international dispute after the U.S. Defence Department featured the character in an animated depiction targeting alleged drug traffickers. The publisher of the “Franklin the Turtle” series is strongly criticizing Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth for a social media post that shows the endearing character engaged in violent acts against suspected criminals.

“We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image,” stated Kids Can Press, the publisher. Millenium TV has learned this incident is not isolated, as singer Sabrina Carpenter also recently expressed outrage at the White House for using her music in a video promoting migrant deportations, calling it “evil and disgusting.” Carpenter explicitly told officials, “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”

The controversial cartoon, shared by Hegseth on social media, portrays Franklin in a military helicopter, armed with a large weapon and firing at alleged drug boats. The mock book cover bears the title: “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.” This imagery appears amid ongoing U.S. strikes against suspected Venezuelan drug vessels since early September, with the Trump administration asserting these actions are self-defense against illicit drug shipments to the U.S. Hegseth captioned his post with “For your Christmas wish list…”

Franklin, typically depicted as a 6-year-old turtle, is widely recognized for navigating common childhood experiences, from learning to ride a bicycle to experiencing his first sleepover. Originating as the main character in the Canadian children’s book “Franklin the Turtle,” he has since appeared in numerous television shows, films, video games, and live performances.

“Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and stands for kindness, empathy, and inclusivity,” Kids Can Press emphasized in their statement. The publisher added that such a violent portrayal “directly contradicts these values.” In response, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell remarked, “We doubt Franklin the Turtle wants to be inclusive of drug cartels… or laud the kindness and empathy of narco-terrorists.”

Similar concerns have been raised previously. In September, Pokémon stated that permission was not granted for the use of its theme song and footage in a video about an ICE deportation raid posted by the U.S. government. British singer Jess Glynne also criticized White House officials in July for utilizing a viral advertisement featuring her song in a video promoting deportations.