Donald Trump has faced condemnation from a UK mayor after the US President shared an AI-generated video apparently referencing the tiger attack that claimed the life of William Chapman on Saturday.
On Tuesday, Mr Trump posted an AI-generated clip on Truth Social depicting a smiling US President wrestling and bonding with a tiger, just days after Mr Chapman, 23, lost his life following his entry into a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in England. The US President also shared on his social media platform a clip seemingly showing the fatal tiger attack.
The song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" plays throughout the 23-second video. Within hours of the footage being shared on Truth Social, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard hit out at the president's actions.
Mayor's condemnation
In a statement, Mr Coppard revealed that Mr Chapman's family had spoken to his office the previous day, before the US President published the AI-generated video, "sharing the pain and suffering it's causing them knowing that videos and pictures of his death are being shared across social media". He went on to say: "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."
The mayor also stated: "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." He continued: "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."
Family tribute
The 23-year-old's relatives posted a tribute to the young man on Tuesday evening, portraying him as a "bright, warm and engaging young man", condemning the online response to his death and disclosing he had endured "significant mental illness over a number of years".
Downing Street indicated people should honour the wishes of Mr Chapman's family but declined to comment directly on Mr Trump sharing the footage, reports the Express. The Prime Minister's official spokesman remarked: "I think obviously the family have made their position clear. Of course, we respect that position." However, he noted: "I'm not going to comment on the president's social media channels, he's got a press secretary who can speak to that."
Inquest scheduled
An inquest is scheduled to commence into the death at Doncaster Coroner's Court on Thursday morning.
Mr Chapman, who was fatally attacked when he entered the tiger enclosure at the Doncaster park on Saturday, had experienced "significant mental illness over a number of years", the family revealed in their statement issued yesterday evening. They said: "The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened. 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.
"The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their upmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did."
In the statement, his family added: "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. We would ask everybody to respect that process."
