The Canadian publisher of "Franklin the Turtle" books was not amused by a social media post from Defense SecretaryPete Hegsethshowing a photo of the character holding a rocket-propelled grenade and targeting alleged drug traffickers.
Hegseth posted theimage of the animated character on Xon Sunday, Nov. 30, as part of a fictional book cover titled "Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists," along with the caption, "For your Christmas wish list …" The post came two days afterThe Washington Post reported a second strike on a boatin the Caribbean on Sept. 2, with the vessel suspected of smuggling drugs.
The second strike, made after Hegseth gave the order to "kill them all," according to The Washington Post, which cited anonymous sources, killed two survivors clinging to wreckage. Military experts and members of Congress have expressed concern that the subsequent strike would violate the law.
Hegseth pushed back, calling the report "fabricated," whilePresident Donald Trumptold reporters that the Pentagon chiefdenied giving the order. The White House acknowledged on Dec. 1 thata second strike had occurred.
Regardless, Kids Can Press, which publishes "Franklin the Turtle" books, on Monday, Dec. 1, posted across social media networks, includingX,Facebook,InstagramandBluesky, that it condemned "any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin's name or image."
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What is the 'Franklin the Turtle' image?
On Nov. 30, Defense SecretaryPete Hegsethposted on Xan image of a book cover titled "Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists," showing Franklin the Turtle in military gear firing a rocket-propelled grenade launcher from a helicopter, targeting boats.
While the post, as of Dec. 2, has gotten more than 170,000 likes, it has received more than 17,000 comments, with some criticizing the image, includingone user who said, "We're not a serious country anymore."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Hegseth over the social media post from the Senate floor on Monday, Dec. 1,CBC News reported. "He wants to be taken seriously, but yesterday he posted a ridiculous tweet of a cartoon turtle firing on alleged drug traffickers – a sick parody of a well-known children's book."
For your Christmas wish list…pic.twitter.com/pLXzg20SaL
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth)December 1, 2025
What did Kids Can Press say about Hegseth's 'Franklin the Turtle' post?
A day after Hegseth's post, the Canadian book publisher posted on several social media networks that "Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and stands for kindness, empathy, and inclusivity.""We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin's name or image, which directly contradicts these values," the statement, which did not mention Hegseth by name, continued.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told several outlets, includingAxiosandthe Washington Post, "We doubt Franklin the Turtle wants to be inclusive of drug cartels … or laud the kindness and empathy of narcoterrorists."
Kids Can Press, which has soldmore than 65 million "Franklin the Turtle" bookssince 1986, responded to a request for comment from USA TODAY with the same statement posted to social media.
Contributing: Phillip M. Bailey and Francesca Chambers
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him atmikegsnider&@mikegsnider.bsky.social&@mikesnider& msnider@usatoday.com
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Hegseth's 'Franklin the Turtle' post condemned by book publisher
