The White House under Donald Trump’s administration recently honored Harambe, the gorilla from Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, in a peculiar social media tribute. Harambe tragically passed away on May 28 after a zoo worker shot him to protect a young visitor, Isaiah Dickerson, who had entered his enclosure. The incident garnered significant attention and transformed Harambe into a viral meme that resonated with many on social media, including staff within the Trump administration.
A post from the official White House account praised Harambe as more than just a meme, describing him as a symbol of loyalty, strength, chaos, and unity that brought people together. The tribute highlighted the upcoming 10-year anniversary of Harambe’s death, noting how his legacy continues to endure. The post, adorned with peace dove and American flag emojis, reignited a wave of memes, reviving a moment that had captured Trump’s interest back in 2016.
During the 2016 incident, Trump, then a presidential candidate, expressed admiration for Harambe’s actions towards the child in his enclosure. While acknowledging the difficult decision to shoot Harambe, Trump remarked on the beauty and potential danger of the situation, emphasizing the priority of protecting the child’s safety.
Harambe, who was born in captivity in 1999 and died at the age of 17, remains a significant figure in internet culture, with the White House’s social media account showcasing a trend of meme-focused content since Trump’s return to office. The account has shared various AI-generated memes, including depictions of Trump as a Star Wars Sith Lord.
