Trump Administration Doubles Down On Cruel ‘Franklin’ Posts Despite Publisher Criticism

The Trump administration is not shying away from controversy after facing backlash for using the popular children’s book character “Franklin the Turtle” without permission.

The Department of Justice shared a fake book cover titled “Franklin Becomes A Deportation Judge,” depicting the fictional turtle as a judge with a gavel, sparking criticism from the publisher of the “Franklin the Turtle” series, Kids Can Press.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also faced backlash for sharing an image of a book cover titled “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists,” making light of a serious issue. Kids Can Press condemned the unauthorized use of the character, emphasizing Franklin’s values of kindness and inclusivity.

Despite the criticism, other departments in the Trump administration have continued to appropriate Franklin’s image for their own agendas. The Department of Education used Franklin to make a statement about its role in education, while the Department of Health and Human Services shared a fake cover promoting healthy eating habits.

Kids Can Press has yet to respond to the recent controversies surrounding the unauthorized use of Franklin the Turtle.