Anti-Trump site shares former president’s false statement about Peanut the squirrel’s death

An anti-Donald Trump website shared a fake message from former President Donald Trump about the death of “Peanut the Squirrel” in an article before it was removed.

A spokesperson for Trump’s team confirmed this New York Post that the statement was false.

Mediaite published a now-deleted story about the death of an internet-famous squirrel that was seized and later killed by New York state officials.

The fake post, which looked like it came from the Trump campaign, said in part: “If Peanut could have told them he was from Mexico they would have sent him on his way and given him a hotel room and a gift from gave $500. card for Buddy Squirrel.”

Trump’s spokesperson called Mediaite “fake news.”

Peanut’s death sparked outrage on social media. Peanut’s owner, Mark Longo, owns an animal shelter with other pets. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation says it has received complaints that wild animals are being illegally kept. according to Fox News.

In addition to Peanut, Longo’s raccoon Fred was also seized by authorities and killed, both due to rabies concerns.

Memes broke out all over social media after Peanut’s death.

“President @realDonaldTrump will save the squirrels,” Elon Musk wrote on the website social media platform,.

Representatives Anna Paulina LunaR-Fla., and Mike CollinsR-Ga., also posted their condolences about Peanut.