{"id":16273,"date":"2026-07-25T01:27:53","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T20:27:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=16273"},"modified":"2026-07-25T01:27:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T20:27:53","slug":"anger-after-white-house-makes-jimothy-the-mutant-raccoon-maga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=16273","title":{"rendered":"Anger after White House makes Jimothy the mutant raccoon MAGA"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"main\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"hydrate-root sc-1ihz57b-0\" data-component=\"SupportNSCNative\" data-loading=\"lazy\" data-theme-name=\"independent\">\n<div data-theme-wrapper=\"independent\" style=\"display:contents\">\n<aside class=\"sc-hez36s-0 dFpFuY\">\n<div class=\"sc-hez36s-1 iBibVd\">\n<h3 data-testid=\"support-nsc-title\" class=\"sc-hez36s-2 flaoin\">Your support helps us to tell the story<\/h3>\n<div class=\"sc-hez36s-8 juUDRT\">\n<div class=\"sc-hez36s-13 cqPbFA\">\n<div class=\"sc-aja53j-0 rAFIl sc-hez36s-16 jZSKtc\">\n<div class=\"sc-aja53j-6 PdmgT\">\n<div data-testid=\"dropdown-with-gradient-collapsed-content-container\" class=\"sc-aja53j-5 eZqxmv\">\n<div>\n<div data-testid=\"dropdown-with-gradient-collapsed-content\" class=\"sc-aja53j-4 eDkVwv\">\n<div>\n<div data-testid=\"support-nsc-collapsed-content-tablet\" class=\"sc-hez36s-7 dbIJRT\">\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 iOIawn\">From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it&#8217;s investigating the financials of Elon Musk&#8217;s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, &#8216;The A Word&#8217;, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 iOIawn\">At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 iOIawn\">The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"sc-1uza6dc-1 eRQajs\">Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button class=\"sc-aja53j-1 keLMOw sc-aja53j-7 eMEmGu\"><span data-testid=\"dropdown-with-gradient-dropdown-tablet\" class=\"sc-aja53j-3 dHXFkr\"><span data-action-type=\"Read more\" class=\"sc-aja53j-2 iKklLt\">Read more<\/span><svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 gRZTFM sc-culv3z-0 eifaJK sc-a5wy94-0 hyKPon\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\"><use href=\"#ee6613da15642019\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>People are irate after the White House <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WhiteHouse\/status\/2080320347329413445\">tried to MAGA-ify Jimothy,<\/a> the beloved Seattle-based raccoon who went viral for having a short spine. <\/p>\n<p>Capitalizing on the viral social media trend, the White House <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WhiteHouse\/status\/2080320347329413445\">posted<\/a> an image of Jimothy wearing a red \u2018Trump was right about everything\u2019 hat.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJimothy spotted on the way to Washington, D.C.,\u201d the caption read. <\/p>\n<p>Within a day, the post had accumulated more than one million views and criticisms that it was \u201c<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/USA_Polling\/status\/2080398175030890842\">cringe<\/a>\u201d and the White House was \u201c<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/THECEOGAMERSEX\/status\/2080341844131528864\">killing memes<\/a>.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>One person disputed Jimothy would have voted for President Donald Trump,<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hannahkrieg\/status\/2080351856392585697\"> joking the raccoon was a \u201cHarris voter [for real]\u201d<\/a> and \u201cmaybe uncommitted in the primary.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 ljURCE\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2026\/07\/24\/19\/59\/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-2-46-06-PM.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2026\/07\/24\/19\/59\/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-2-46-06-PM.png?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2026\/07\/24\/19\/59\/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-2-46-06-PM.png?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The White House posted a photoshopped image of the viral short-spined raccoon Jimothy wearing a red 'Trump was right about everything' hat\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">The White House posted a photoshopped image of the viral short-spined raccoon Jimothy wearing a red &#8216;Trump was right about everything&#8217; hat<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->White House \/ X<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>But mostly, critics responded with complaints that the White House was using the trending raccoon to promote Trump. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI swear y&#8217;all go out of your way to try to ruin everyone&#8217;s fun,\u201d one<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TeejyHamzz\/status\/2080673516907553227\"> X user grumbled.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>An <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/evanundergrnd\/status\/2080341291116736968\">X user named Evan wrote<\/a>: \u201cGenuinely the worst propaganda account ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.the-independent.com\/tv\/lifestyle\/jimothy-raccoon-baby-seattle-video-b3017416.html\">raccoon named Jimothy<\/a> has been all over social media, gaining buzz for his uniquely curved back, and stealing the hearts of Seattle locals. In one <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DayHOfryG7Z\/\">video<\/a> posted on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.the-independent.com\/tech\/instagram-update-ai-edit-opt-out-muse-image-b3012455.html\">Instagram<\/a>, Jimothy was seen prancing across a lawn before going up concrete steps.<\/p>\n<p>The woman filming the video can be heard saying, \u201cWhat am I looking at?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She then said in the post\u2019s caption that she and her partner \u201cwere graced with the presence of Jimothy the raccoon with short spine syndrome. Praise Jimothy!!\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thedailybeast.com\/jimothy-the-raccoons-cringe-maga-makeover-met-with-backlash\/\"><em>The Daily Beast<\/em><\/a> was the first to report on the Jimothy backlash. The White House often uses its social media accounts to post memes or troll Trump\u2019s opponents \u2013 a tactic that can resonate with young people and boost morale, even momentarily.<\/p>\n<p>More recently, the White House social media team has engaged with people online by Trump-ifying trending posts. Earlier this month, the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WhiteHouse\/status\/2073196166540329407\">White House posted a version <\/a>of Madison Square Garden\u2019s wedding announcement for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce by replacing the original text with: \u201cTRUMP Is Your President.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>The concept is popular with companies and brands, which are typically doing so to promote a product. <\/p>\n<p>Other Trump administration agencies followed suit on Jimothy. The Office of Personnel Management <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/USOPM\/status\/2080648566121345362\">posted an image of Jimothy \u201ctrying to enter public service\u201d<\/a> and a personal identification badge indicating \u201cJimothy J. Raccoon\u201d was now working for the government. <\/p>\n<p>The Interior Department press team promptly responded, claiming <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/interiorpress47\/status\/2080664573409927378\">Jimothy was now a Park Police Officer.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/skupor\/status\/2080653348756193685\">Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management, also chimed in:<\/a> \u201cWe believe in equal employment opportunities &#8211; in this case, though, I question the merit-based assessment process.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Kupor\u2019s tweet referred to Trump\u2019s policy that all hiring in the federal government be \u201cmerit-based\u201d after accusing past administration of hiring for diversity, equity and inclusion purposes. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it&#8217;s investigating the financials of Elon Musk&#8217;s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, &#8216;The A Word&#8217;, which shines a light on the American women fighting&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16274,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static.the-independent.com\/2026\/07\/24\/19\/59\/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-2-46-06-PM.png?trim=115,0,132,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-trending-viral-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16273"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16273\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}