US President Donald Trump is facing backlash after posting a "tasteless" AI-generated parody online of the Yorkshire Wildlife Park tiger mauling. The 80-year-old president shared a clip on Truth Social showing William Chapman's final moments before he was killed by Altai the Umar tiger, adding the message: "Don’t ever mess with nature!" and signing it "President DJT".
Family plea for dignity
Mr Chapman's family has issued a plea for dignity and begged people online not to share the footage. They said the circulation of "deeply offensive media content" was causing the family "severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time".
Trump's post sparked fury, with broadcaster Piers Morgan writing online: "This is appallingly tasteless. Delete it."
AI video details
Trump also shared an AI-generated video of himself in the tiger's enclosure, in which he outwitted the animal as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" played in the background. Wearing his famous navy suit and long red tie, Trump is seen lying on the ground pointing his finger at the tiger, mimicking the genuine video in which Mr Chapman begs for his life.
The original video appears to have been used to create the short AI-generated clip. In it, Trump jumps to his feet after the tiger gets too close and chases him across the enclosure. As the big cat scampers away, Trump dives on its back as the pair roll on the grass several times. The president then picks up the tiger, wraps his arms around its back and smiles directly into the camera.
Family tribute and background
In a tribute released through police, Mr Chapman's family said: "The publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time. We ask people to stop doing this."
Mr Chapman filmed his last moments as he approached Altai, a five-year-old endangered Amur tiger, and posted it on Instagram after entering the animal's enclosure shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday. Eyewitnesses, who can be heard screaming in the background for help, said they saw the cat pounce on the man and maul him to death.
Trump's posts faced criticism online. One person wrote on social media: "You are posting the death of an extremely vulnerable young man." Another said: "He died two days ago. His name is William Chapman. His family has just issued a statement saying these videos are causing them extreme distress. Please delete."
In a statement, Mr Chapman's family said that he had suffered from "significant mental illness" over a number of years and had been prescribed "strong medication". Their statement said: "William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved – and William loved them back. Sadly, William suffered from significant mental illness over a number of years and was consequently prescribed strong medication. It will be for the coroner to decide what part this played in his death. The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened. The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their utmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did."
Mr Chapman, 24, is believed to be a former student at the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe, Bucks. He appeared in ITV drama May Contain Nuts and also played Edward Jenner, who discovered the smallpox vaccine in 1796, as a young boy in the BBC series True Stories. The Jackie Palmer Stage School paid tribute on Instagram, saying it was "deeply saddened" and Mr Chapman would "be remembered with great fondness".
A spokesperson said: "We loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer, during his time with us. It was a privilege to be part of his journey, and he will be remembered with great fondness by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. William will be truly missed, and he will always hold a special place in our hearts."
In the days leading up to his death, Mr Chapman posted a number of bizarre pictures and videos to his social media. His Instagram account included a shirtless selfie taken at the gym, while another picture shows him holding a bible and a crossbow with a crossbow bolt between his teeth. He had on the same clothes as when he entered the tiger enclosure.
Witnesses at the zoo said Mr Chapman, who has not been formally named and was said to be vulnerable by police, had been dancing to music and asked a visitor to take a picture of him with Altai in the background. A woman desperately tried to hold him back as he entered the enclosure, before dropping 12ft to the floor. When the tiger attacked, Mr Chapman screamed "stop" several times and appeared to make a gesture for "bad" in Makaton, a sign language system generally used by individuals who struggle to communicate.
It is thought Mr Chapman lived in Doncaster, but was originally from Buckinghamshire. Police have passed a file to Doncaster's coroner. British police have urged people not to share distressing footage of Mr Chapman's attack.
