Trump slammed for ‘utilizing AI to mock’ tiger assault sufferer William Chapman for ‘low cost chortle’
WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Donald Trump has sparked outrage after his team posted an AI video of himself fighting with a tiger just days after William Chapman was killed after entering an enclosure
Trump’s video has sparked outrage as he has been accused of ‘mocking’ the victim (Image: TRUTH SOCIAL)
Donald Trump has been accused of “mocking” tiger attack victim William Chapman after a video was posted to his Truth Social account of the US President fighting the animal for “a cheap laugh”. It also came hours before that Trump posted footage of Chapman being fatally attacked by a tiger at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
The US president accompanied the short clip – which showed the animal biting and clawing Chapman as he sat in the enclosure, but not him being killed – with the signed message: “Don’t ever mess with nature!”
This morning, Trump followed this up with an AI-generated video of him grappling with a tiger, which appears to mimic the original, and is accompanied by the Tight Fit song The Lion Sleeps Tonight.
William Chapman has been identified as the victim of the tiger attack(Image: Family Handout/PA Wire)
The clip also features the president copying the pointing gesture made by Chapman, and ends with him hugging the animal.
The family of Chapman said “deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress” as the local mayor has now spoken out after being contacted by his loved ones.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard condemned the president’s actions and said it was done “for little more than a cheap laugh on social media”.
In a statement, Mayor Coppard said: “They spoke to my office yesterday, sharing the pain and suffering it’s causing them knowing that videos and pictures of his death are being shared across social media.
Trump’s video has been branded as being a ‘cheap laugh’ for social media(Image: TRUTH SOCIAL)
“The president of the United States now using AI to mock that incident and the pain felt by the family of Mr Chapman, for little more than a cheap laugh on social media, should be greeted with the contempt it deserves.
“So I’m asking you, please, not to add to this family’s pain. If someone shares the content with you, please don’t pass it on. ”
The mayor said: “What happened at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday was tragic, not least because it’s a place so many people associate with a family day out.”
He said: “The family of Mr Chapman remain utmost in my thoughts. I know all decent people across South Yorkshire will be sending them their love, thoughts and empathy.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park has remained closed ever since the incident took place(Image: Tom Maddick / SWNS)
Meanwhile, Downing Street said people should respect the views of Chapman’s family but refused to directly comment about Trump posting the videos online.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think obviously the family have made their position clear. Of course, we respect that position.”
But he added: “I’m not going to comment on the president’s social media channels, he’s got a press secretary who can speak to that.”
An inquest is due to open into the death at Doncaster Coroner’s Court on Thursday morning.
