Publisher condemns ‘violent’ use of Franklin the Turtle after Hegseth’s boat strike post

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 2 min read 100% complete by Leyland Cecco in TorontoDecember 2, 2025 at 05:42 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

US defense secretary Pete Hegseth posted a mocked-up book cover of "Franklin the Turtle" aiming a rocket launcher at boats, captioned "For your Christmas wish list," sparking controversy. The post coincided with outrage over recent US strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in numerous deaths. Kids Can Press, the Canadian publisher of the "Franklin the Turtle" series, condemned Hegseth's "violent" and "unauthorized" use of the character, emphasizing that it contradicts Franklin's values of kindness and empathy. Hegseth's post also led to other satirical book covers, some critical of him and others referencing political issues. The original "Franklin the Turtle" series, with over 50 titles and 20 million copies sold, focuses on gentle moral lessons for children, avoiding political themes.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States ×280% Pete Hegseth ×4100% Franklin the Turtle ×6100%

Keywords

franklin the turtle 100% pete hegseth 90% social media post 70% children's book 70% extrajudicial killings 60% violent imagery 60% mock covers 50% kids can press 50% canadian icon 40%