An anti-Donald Trump website was misled by a fabricated statement purportedly from the former president expressing grief over the death of Peanut, an internet-famous squirrel. However, sources close to the Republican candidate confirmed that this inflammatory statement was fake.
The liberal news site Mediaite published an article, now deleted, based on what appeared to be an official press release from Trump’s campaign. This post, which first appeared on X by user Gentry Genvers, was later cleared up as a hoax. Karoline Leavitta member of Trump’s team, explained to The Post that it was indeed a “fake statement” and confirmed that Trump “didn’t actually say that,” referring to the post describing Peanut — who was euthanized after being out of state arrested. Owners from New York – as “innocent in every respect” and compare the squirrel to a migrant. Leavitt further dismissed Mediaite as “fake news.”
Following the incident, Mediaite issued a correction acknowledging that it had “incorrectly reported on a false statement attributed to Donald Trump,” confirming that neither Trump nor his campaign had commented on the story in question nor made any statements had released related to it. The article was subsequently removed, although Mediaite did not respond to The Post’s request for comment on the surveillance.

Gevers’ first post was intended as a response to Elon Musk’s post about Trump, in which he suggested that “Trump as president will save the squirrels.” In the fabricated response, Trump appeared to lament that Peanut and Fred the Raccoon had been captured and “executed by the state of New York” because of “their terrible governor,” the Democratic president. Kathy Hochul. The post suggested that if Peanut had claimed he was “from Mexico,” he would have been “sent on his way” with “a hotel room and a gift card.”

At 78, Trump remains an outspoken supporter of strict immigration policies, often attributing violent crimes in the US to the arrival of new migrants. Peanut, a seven-year-old gray squirrel with a devoted online following, had become an Internet sensation. He was euthanized together with Fred the Raccoon Ministry of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to test them for rabies. The DEC stated that Peanut, who was usually docile, bit an investigator on the hand when he was seized from Mark Longo’s Elmira home. Investigators are said to have visited Longo’s home after anonymous complaints about keeping wild animals inside.
Longo paid tribute to Peanut in an emotional online video, recalling the deep bond he had with the squirrel and sharing his heartfelt gratitude for the joy Peanut brought to his life. Longo, who rescued Peanut after witnessing the animal’s mother being killed by a car, expressed his regret, writing in a message that Peanut was “the best thing that ever happened to us” and that he was “sorry that he had abandoned him.” The pair’s connection eventually inspired Longo to move to upstate New York, where he founded “P’Nut’s Freedom Farm,” an animal shelter and rescue initiative.