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34. Hegseth condemned by publisher as children's book hero dragged into military controversy

Mon Dec 1, 2025, 09:20 PM

Dec 1

https://www.rawstory.com/hegseth-2674359955/

Hegseth condemned by publisher as children's book hero dragged into military controversy

Matthew Chapman
December 1, 2025 9:13PM ET

The publisher behind the celebrated Franklin the Turtle series of children's books is now speaking out in protest after President Donald Trump's Secretary of Defense shared an image of the character shooting at drug boats.

…

Speaking to The Independent, Kids Can Press, the publisher of the Franklin the Turtle series, fired back at Trump's Pentagon chief.

“Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and stands for kindness, empathy, and inclusivity,” they said through a spokesperson. “We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image, which directly contradicts these values.”

Meanwhile, noted The Independent, users fired back on X, posting their own AI-generated images of books with titles like Franklin Goes to The Hague, Franklin On Trial at the ICC, and Franklin Goes to Jail.

… more …

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LittleGirl Attilatheblond

42 replies

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Highlight:

Kelly: ... He runs around on a stage like he's a 12 year old playing army. It's embarrassing. [View all] demmiblue Dec 1 OP

Reminds me of when Gen. Wes Clark said that dubya senseandsensibility Dec 1 #1

Another drunk fool who is a man baby. Irish_Dem Dec 1 #3

Dubya senseandsensibility Dec 1 #20

He was drunk in all the videos I saw of him while he was in the WH. Irish_Dem Dec 1 #21

the man is a rapist and an alcoholic and a cartoon soldier Skittles Dec 1 #39

The DOD head is a civilian for a reason. The US military is under CIVILIAN leadership. Irish_Dem Dec 1 #2

SHAME ON ANYONE WHO VOTED TO CONFIRM HIM Skittles Dec 1 #4

Can I quote you on that cause Ima gonna steal those words and repeat them often. Marie Marie Dec 1 #23

Endorse. GopherGal Dec 1 #30

Kelly for 2028 WA-03 Democrat Dec 1 #5

he's really standing up for democracy Skittles Dec 1 #6

Anybody seen the flying turtles with grenades Kelly mentioned? KS Toronado Dec 1 #7

PETE HEGSETH FULL METAL FRANKLIN ... Secretary Turns Cartoon Character Into a Killer cbabe Dec 1 #8

Thank you, thought it was a video KS Toronado Dec 1 #10

That's disgusting MustLoveBeagles Dec 1 #15

Amen, fucking repugs won't even allow children a happy childhood KS Toronado Dec 1 #25

Horrible MustLoveBeagles Dec 1 #13

The Canadian ladies who created the books should sue him. Beacool Dec 1 #31

Pete's really gonna like that one... Fil1957 Dec 1 #9

Yeah.... paleotn Dec 1 #14

trump is going to hate this mercuryblues Dec 1 #11

I like how Kelly was respectful to those asking questions off-the-clock Dec 1 #12

I actually have to give Trump credit kwolf68 Dec 1 #16

3rd string JV underpants Dec 1 #33

Secretary Shitfaced needs to borrow Jacob Chansley's uniform and do it up right. Buns_of_Fire Dec 1 #17

I read that tatoo ink moves around in the body. Justice matters. Dec 1 #19

Senator Kelly MW67 Dec 1 #18

Well, Sen. Kelly certainly isn't backing down from Kegsbreath, MarineCombatEngineer Dec 1 #22

He has REALLY grown into the job the past couple of years Attilatheblond Dec 1 #27

2 Stand up men fighting this illegal regime, MarineCombatEngineer Dec 1 #28

This 'Zonie' who spent formative years around the military Attilatheblond Dec 1 #32

Panama Canal Zone? PJMcK Dec 2 #41

Nope, Arizona Attilatheblond Dec 2 #42

Kelly: "When Trump was driving the Taj Mahal Casino into bankruptcy, I was being shot at over Iraq.." red dog 1 Dec 1 #24

Thanks for that clip. KS Toronado Dec 1 #26

Love the fire in this man. nt MarineCombatEngineer Dec 1 #29

I did not know he had been part of the recovery efforts after the Columbia tragedy. 3catwoman3 Dec 1 #35

Great clip. underpants Dec 1 #36

Hegseth condemned by publisher as children's book hero dragged into military controversy cbabe Dec 1 #34

Fucking tabless beyotch and failed infantry officer Aviation Pro Dec 1 #37

It is embarrassing angrychair Dec 1 #38

Wow. That was REALLY great! C Moon Dec 2 #40