The White House under Donald Trump’s administration recently honored Harambe the gorilla through a peculiar social media tribute, commemorating the late zoo animal who gained fame as a viral meme.
Posted on Twitter by the official US government account, the homage referred to Harambe as a “true patriot” following his tragic death on May 28 at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in Ohio. The gorilla was fatally shot by zoo personnel after he dragged a young boy named Isaiah Dickerson into his enclosure, prompting fears for the child’s safety.
Harambe’s demise captured widespread attention in the US, evolving into a popular meme on social media platforms where users humorously mourned and parodied his shooting incident. Employees within the Trump administration also joined in the tribute by expressing their admiration for the gorilla’s symbolic significance beyond being just a meme.
The official White House account highlighted Harambe as more than a mere internet sensation, describing him as a representation of loyalty, strength, chaos, unity, and the unique allure of online communities uniting for a common cause of remembering him.
The post commemorated the upcoming 10th anniversary of Harambe’s passing, reflecting on how his legacy continues to resonate a decade later. Trump, then a presidential candidate, previously acknowledged the beauty of Harambe’s interaction with the child and the difficult decision faced by the zoo staff in ensuring the child’s safety.
Despite being a fully grown gorilla at the time of his death, Harambe was only 17 years old, born in captivity in Texas in 1999. The White House’s social media presence has notably featured various memes since Donald Trump’s return to power, showcasing a blend of AI-generated content, including depictions of Trump as a Star Wars Sith Lord.