A cherished character from a Canadian children’s book series, Franklin the Turtle, has become the center of an international dispute after the U.S. Defense Department featured the character in a controversial animated depiction targeting alleged drug traffickers. The publisher of the “Franklin the Turtle” series is strongly criticizing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for a social media post showing the popular character engaged in a violent act against supposed criminals.
“We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image,” a statement from Kids Can Press, Franklin’s publisher, declared. This sentiment is echoed by other public figures who have found their works used by government entities in ways they oppose. Pop star Sabrina Carpenter, for instance, criticized the White House for utilizing her song in a video concerning migrant deportations, labeling the act as “evil and disgusting.” She emphatically stated, “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
The cartoon shared by Secretary Hegseth on social media portrays a mock book cover, featuring Franklin in a military helicopter, armed with a powerful weapon, firing upon what appear to be drug boats. The fabricated title reads: “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.” This image emerges amidst a series of U.S. strikes against suspected Venezuelan drug vessels that began in early September. The Trump administration has asserted these actions are in self-defense, aimed at intercepting illicit drug shipments bound for the United States. Hegseth’s post was captioned with: “For your Christmas wish list…”
Franklin, typically portrayed as a six-year-old turtle, is known for navigating common childhood experiences, from mastering bicycle riding to attending his first sleepover. Originating as the main character in the Canadian book “Franklin the Turtle,” the character has since expanded into numerous television programs, films, video games, and live performances. Millenium TV understands that the character is deeply ingrained in popular culture.
Kids Can Press emphasized in its statement that “Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and stands for kindness, empathy, and inclusivity,” adding that such a violent portrayal “directly contradicts these values.” Responding to the criticism, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell issued a statement, commenting, “We doubt Franklin the Turtle wants to be inclusive of drug cartels… or laud the kindness and empathy of narco-terrorists.”
This incident is not isolated. In September, the creators of Pokémon publicly stated they had not granted permission for their theme song and other visual content to be used in a U.S. government video related to deportation raids. Similarly, British singer Jess Glynne voiced her disapproval in July after White House officials incorporated a viral advertisement featuring her song into a promotional video for deportations.
© Millenium TV
