The Mayor of South Yorkshire has condemned Donald Trump after the US President shared a video of a man being fatally attacked by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, and has issued a plea on behalf of the victim's family.
William Chapman, 23, was attacked by an Amur tiger after entering the animal's enclosure at the Doncaster tourist attraction on Saturday (October 10). On Tuesday (October 13), Mr Trump posted footage of the incident to 13 million followers on his Truth Social platform, accompanied by the message: "Don’t ever mess with nature!" The clip showed the animal biting and clawing Mr Chapman as he sat in the enclosure, but not him being killed.
AI-generated video posted by US President
On Wednesday morning (October 14), Mr Trump followed up with another post – an AI-generated video of him grappling with a tiger, which appears to mimic the original. The clip, set to the Tight Fit song The Lion Sleeps Tonight, features the president copying the pointing gesture made by Mr Chapman and ends with him hugging the animal.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said the Chapman family had contacted his office. In a statement, he said: "They (the Chapman family) 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."
Family's distress over offensive content
The 23-year-old's family have said "deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress". In a tribute posted on Tuesday, they described William 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.
Mr Coppard added: "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. 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."
Park remains closed and inquest due
The mayor said: "What happened at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday was tragic, not least because it’s a place so many people associate with a family day out. The family of Mr Chapman remain utmost in my thoughts. I know all decent people across South Yorkshire will be sending them their love, thoughts and empathy."
Downing Street said people should respect the views of Mr Chapman’s family but would not directly comment about Mr Trump posting the videos online. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: "I think obviously the family have made their position clear. Of course, we respect that position." He added: "I’m not going to comment on the president’s social media channels; he’s got a press secretary who can speak to that."
An inquest is due to open into the death at Doncaster Coroner’s Court on Thursday morning (October 15). As a child, Mr Chapman appeared in ITV’s May Contain Nuts, alongside Harry Potter actress Shirley Henderson, and in the BBC’s True Stories series, according to IMDB. He previously attended Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, which said in a Facebook tribute it was "deeply saddened" to hear of the loss of its former student, adding "we loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer". The park remained closed on Wednesday for a fifth day following the attack.
