Elon Musk mourns Peanut's euthanasia

Elon Musk has criticized Joe Biden's administration, calling it a “mindless and heartless killing machine” after Peanut, the internet-famous squirrel, was seized by New York state officials. The Tesla CEO joined thousands online in mourning the beloved pet who had captivated audiences with his charming antics and heartwarming videos on social media.

“President Donald Trump will save the squirrels,” the billionaire wrote on His post included a picture of Peanut sitting on owner Mark Longo's back.

president @realDonaldTrump will save the squirrels ????️ ????

RIP P'Nut pic.twitter.com/yoIBV0Okpd

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2024

He claimed the government was a “mindless and heartless killing machine.”

The government is a mindless and heartless killing machine

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2024

In a follow-up tweet, Musk posted an AI-generated image of Peanut as star Wars Character Obi-Wan Kenobi holding a lightsaber. “If you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you can imagine,” he tweeted, adding: “Obi PNut Kenobi.”

“If you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you can imagine” Obi PNut Kenobi pic.twitter.com/dD2Xo0fSkr

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2024

Peanut the Squirrel, who lived with New Yorker Mark Longo for seven years, charmed fans around the world with his endearing antics, often captured in videos and photos on his Instagram account @peanut_the_squirrel12.

Peanut's journey to social media stardom began after Mr. Longo rescued and found him as a baby after his mother was hit by a car. Mr. Longo bottle-fed Peanut and initially tried to release him into the wild. But the squirrel returned and stayed with Mr. Longo, eventually becoming a social media sensation with fans around the world following his waffle and costume escapades.

On Saturday, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Chemung County Health Department reported that both Peanut and a raccoon found in Mark Longo's care were euthanized to test for rabies after a government employee was bitten by Peanut . The DEC noted that both animals were illegally owned and cited the risk of human exposure to rabies as the reason for euthanasia.

In an emotional post on Instagram, Mr. Longo blamed the authorities and certain people who he said had reported Peanut out of spite. “Internet, you WON,” Mr. Longo wrote. “To the group of people who called (the DEC), there is a special place in hell for you.”