Donald Trump’s Truth Social account has posted an AI-generated video showing him wrestling and hugging a tiger, after sharing footage of the attack that killed a man at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
The artificial clip appeared early on Wednesday, following posts on Tuesday showing the attack on William Chapman and a separate compilation of big cats attacking people.
Mr Chapman died on Saturday 10 October after entering the tiger enclosure at the park near Doncaster. Emergency services attended, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Family asks public to stop sharing material
His family has said the circulation of offensive media content is causing severe distress as they struggle to come to terms with his death.
In a statement released on Tuesday, they described William as a “bright, warm and engaging young man” who was dearly loved.
They said he had experienced significant mental illness over several years, and asked people to respect the coroner’s role in determining whether that played a part in his death.
The family also appealed for privacy and asked people to stop sharing the material.
Real footage followed by artificial clip
Trump’s earlier post carried the caption: “Don’t ever mess with nature! President DJT.” AFP reported that the White House’s Rapid Response account on X also shared the attack footage, prompting criticism online.
The subsequent AI-generated video depicts Trump interacting with a tiger. It is an artificial scene, rather than footage of a real encounter involving the president.
Ferrari questions Trump’s priorities
LBC presenter Nick Ferrari criticised Trump’s involvement, arguing that the president should focus on the Iran conflict, US petrol prices and his political position ahead of the midterm elections.
Ferrari’s comments questioned why Trump was turning his attention to the Doncaster attack while facing those pressures at home and abroad.
Investigation under way
City of Doncaster Council has launched a health and safety investigation and is working with police and other agencies.
The park has said Altai, the Amur tiger involved in the incident, is safe and well and will not be euthanised.
The posts come as Trump faces pressure over fuel costs ahead of the US midterm elections. In September, he said oil prices elevated by the Iran war were unlikely to fall until after the vote, according to Associated Press.
