Elon Musk calls Joe Biden govt 'mindless, heartless' after euthanasia of internet-sensation squirrel 'Peanut'
Billionaire businessman Elon Musk has slammed Joe Biden's administration calling it a 'mindless and heartless killing machine' following the internet-famous squirrel Peanut's confiscation and euthanisation by New York state officials to test for rabies after it bit a government worker.
"President @realDonaldTrump will save the squirrels 🐿️ 😢 RIP P’Nut," Musk's post on X read.
President @realDonaldTrump will save the squirrels 🐿️ 😢
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2024
RIP P’Nut pic.twitter.com/yoIBV0Okpd
The government is a mindless and heartless killing machine
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2024
Besides the Tesla CEO, thousands of netizens have mourned over Peanut's euthanasia.
Peanut was an internet sensation with its captivating and heartwarming videos on social media.
In another tweet, Musk posted an AI-generated image of Peanut as Star Wars character Obi-Wan Kenobi, holding a lightsaber.
“If you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you could possibly imagine,” he wrote, adding, “Obi PNut Kenobi.”
“If you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you could possibly imagine” Obi PNut Kenobi pic.twitter.com/dD2Xo0fSkr
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2024
Musk, who is supporting former president Donald Trump's candidature, this election, wrote: "The government should not be allowed to barge into your house and kill your pet! That’s messed up. Even if it is illegal to have a pet squirrel (which it shouldn’t be), why kill PNut instead of simply releasing him into the forest!?"
The government should not be allowed to barge into your house and kill your pet! That’s messed up.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 3, 2024
Even if it is illegal to have a pet squirrel (which it shouldn’t be), why kill PNut instead of simply releasing him into the forest!? https://t.co/2m9Gi5QpUT
'Peanut' lived with New Yorker Mark Longo for seven years. He has been winning over hearts worldwide with his endearing antics in the form of videos, and photos on his Instagram account, @peanut_the_squirrel12.
Peanut debuted on social media after Longo rescued him as a baby after its mother died in a car accident.
Longo initially attempted to release him into the wild. But the squirrel returned to him, eventually becoming a social media sensation.
On Saturday, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Chemung County Health Department stated that both Peanut and a raccoon, also in Mark Longo's care, were euthanised to test for rabies.
The step was taken after Peanut bit a government worker.
The DEC said that both animals were illegally possessed and posed a risk of human rabies exposure.
In an emotional post on Instagram, Longo slammed the authorities and certain individuals who as per him reported Peanut out of jealousy.
“Internet, you WON,” Longo wrote. “To the group of people who called (the DEC), there's a special place in hell for you.”
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