As brutal as the real video was, the AI version is just as tasteless.
A young man climbs into a tiger enclosure. The animal notices him, attacks, and the intruder dies. The story and the accompanying footage seem to have escaped no one's attention. That includes the President of the United States, whose mocking response to the incident has sparked widespread outrage.
What Happened at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
On Saturday, October 10, 2026, 23-year-old William Chapman entered the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, England. There, he was attacked by Altai, an Amur tiger. Chapman suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the incident, the wildlife park was evacuated and temporarily closed. The relevant authorities launched an investigation into the safety circumstances surrounding the incident. The park stated that the tiger would not be euthanized.
Chapman's relatives described him as an intelligent, warmhearted, and outgoing young man. They also explained that he had been living with a severe mental illness for several years. Whether and to what extent his medical history was connected to his death would need to be established by the investigating authorities. His reasons for entering the enclosure should therefore not be hastily portrayed as a dare or deliberate provocation.
At this point, no one is in a position to pass judgment on Chapman's motives, not even the most powerful man in the world, especially when he has nothing but mockery for the deceased.
Trump Shares Footage and an AI-Generated Reenactment
On Tuesday, October 13, just three days later, Trump shared a video of the attack on his platform, Truth Social. His accompanying message amounted to: "Never mess with nature!"
Shortly afterward, Trump followed it up with an AI-generated clip showing himself in a similar situation. In the video, he overpowers the tiger, wrestles it to the ground, and cuddles with the beast while "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" plays in the background.
Strong Criticism and an Appeal From the Family
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard strongly condemned Trump's post. He accused the US president of exploiting the tragedy and the family's pain for a cheap laugh on social media. Will Travers, co-founder of the wildlife charity Born Free, also criticized the clip, noting that it presented an unrealistic picture of how people could interact with dangerous wild predators.
Chapman's family said that the circulation of deeply hurtful content was causing them further severe distress. They asked people not to share such footage any further and to respect their privacy while they grieved.