South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has condemned US President Donald Trump for posting an AI-generated video that appears to echo the tiger attack that killed William Chapman at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday.
The 23-second video, which plays the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” was shared by Mr Trump on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday evening, according to the Express.
Mayor urges public not to share content
Mr Coppard said the Chapman family had contacted his office. In a statement, he said: “They spoke to my office yesterday, sharing the pain and suffering it’s causing them knowing that videos and pictures of his death are being shared across social media.”
“The president of the United States now using AI to mock that incident and the pain felt by the family of Mr Chapman, for little more than a cheap laugh on social media, should be greeted with the contempt it deserves,” he added.
“So I’m asking you, please, not to add to this family’s pain. If someone shares the content with you, please don’t pass it on.”
Family criticises online reaction
The mayor described the incident as tragic, noting that the park is a place many associate with a family day out. He said the Chapman family remained “utmost in my thoughts” and that all decent people across South Yorkshire would send them love, thoughts and empathy.
Earlier on Wednesday, the family of William Chapman said “deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress” after Mr Trump reposted a widely shared video of the incident. The clip, which showed the animal biting and clawing Mr Chapman as he sat in the enclosure but not him being killed, was accompanied by the signed message: “Don’t ever mess with nature!”
The 23-year-old’s family posted a tribute on Tuesday evening, describing him as a “bright, warm and engaging young man”, criticising the online reaction to his death and questioning what part his “significant mental illness over a number of years” and prescribed strong medication played in the incident.
