The White House used its official X account on Wednesday to commemorate what would have been Harambe's 27th birthday, sparking a mix of online nostalgia and political ridicule. The post, which described the Cincinnati Zoo gorilla as a "legend" and "icon," marked the latest instance of the administration engaging with internet meme culture.
"Today, we remember a legend," the account wrote. "On this day in history, Harambe would have celebrated another birthday. An icon that became part of internet history, American culture, and an entire generation's timeline."
Harambe's Death and Cultural Aftermath
Harambe was shot and killed by zoo staff on May 28, 2016, after a three-year-old boy fell into his enclosure. The western lowland gorilla dragged the child before being killed, a decision that sparked widespread debate and online outrage. More than 509,000 people signed a Change.org petition demanding "Justice for Harambe," and the incident quickly evolved into a lasting internet meme.
Vox's Aja Romano later declared Harambe the "meme of the year" for 2016, noting his "undeniable status" in pop culture. The gorilla's image became a shorthand for everything from absurdist humor to political commentary.
White House Posts Continue
The White House account also marked the 10-year anniversary of Harambe's death, writing: "Tomorrow marks 10 years since we lost him. Ten years since the moment the world stopped scrolling and collectively mourned something bigger than a meme." The post added that Harambe had become "a symbol of loyalty, strength, chaos, unity, and the strange beauty of the internet." In a subsequent message, the account called him a "true patriot."
The tribute drew a sharp response from Headquarters, an online advocacy group aligned with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The account shared a cartoon of a stereotypical Reddit user and wrote, "How the admin felt posting this."
President Trump, who was running for office in 2016, commented on Harambe's death at the time. He said the gorilla holding the child looked "beautiful" at moments but acknowledged that zoo staff "probably had no choice" but to kill him. "It's too bad there wasn't another way," Trump added.
The White House's decision to honor Harambe comes as the administration continues to use social media for both policy announcements and cultural engagement. Critics argue the posts trivialize the presidency, while supporters see them as a way to connect with younger audiences.
In related news, the White House has also used its platform to address more serious matters, such as Trump's stance on China sanctions and Pentagon cost estimates for a potential Iran conflict. The administration's social media strategy remains a point of debate among political observers.
