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In July 2026, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth drew significant backlash after posting an AI-generated image featuring the popular children's book character Franklin the Turtle. The image depicted the character in military gear firing a rocket launcher from a helicopter, accompanied by the title "Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists."

What happened

Hegseth shared the AI-generated mock book cover on social media with the caption, "For your Christmas wish list…" at a time when the administration faced intense scrutiny regarding allegations of potential war crimes involving a strike on a Venezuelan boat. The publisher of Franklin the Turtle, Kids Can Press, issued a formal statement condemning the unauthorized use of the character. They described the character as a beloved Canadian icon representing kindness, empathy, and inclusivity, stating that the violent imagery directly contradicted the values associated with the brand.

The post sparked widespread condemnation from various public figures and online observers. Critics argued that the use of the imagery was inappropriate, with Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove suggesting that the post was an attempt to distract from accountability for military actions. Other reactions included calls for Hegseth to comply with subpoenas and labels of the act as a display of incompetence. The incident highlights the growing controversy surrounding the use of AI-generated content by high-ranking officials to manipulate the likeness of established intellectual property for political messaging.