Franklin Would Never! The Classic Canadian Character That’s Now a Viral Political Meme

Franklin the Turtle is now the subject of a political meme! Pete Hegseth, Trump’s Secretary of Defense, posted an image of Franklin on a helicopter on his X account, and it’s sparked major backlash—especially from the character’s publisher. Kids Can Press stated:

“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.”

Franklin the Turtle isn’t just a beloved children’s character—he’s a true Canadian icon. The books were originally written by Paulette Bourgeois and illustrator Brenda Clark, Franklin first appeared in Franklin in the Dark in 1986, published by Toronto-based Kids Can Press.

Anywhoo let’s leave that craziness for a minute and listen to the song of many Canadian youth sang by another Canadian Icon , Bruce Cockburn!