The publisher of the “Franklin the Turtle” children’s book series condemned the unauthorized use of the character Monday, following a post by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that depicted Franklin seemingly firing at drug boats.
Hegseth shared the image on his personal X account amid scrutiny over a deadly strike on a suspected drug boat near Venezuela, an action some congressional lawmakers said could potentially violate the laws of war if verified. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the September strike, stating that a Navy admiral, not Hegseth, directed the military action.
In a statement shared on social media, Kids Can Press emphasized that Franklin the Turtle is “a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and stands for kindness, empathy, and inclusivity.” The publisher said it “strongly condemns any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image, which directly contradicts these values.”
Responding to the criticism, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell suggested that Franklin likely would not endorse drug cartels or celebrate acts of violence, saying the use of the character in the image does not align with the children’s series’ values.