Family of UK Man Killed by Tiger Condemn Trump’s Social Media Videos
- The family of William Chapman issued a public plea expressing severe distress over circulating online media after US President Donald Trump reposted footage of a fatal tiger attack,...
- William Chapman, 23, was mauled to death after entering an enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster, on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
- On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Donald Trump posted a video clip of the fatal tiger attack to 13 million followers on his Truth Social platform, yahoo.com reported.
The family of William Chapman issued a public plea expressing severe distress over circulating online media after US President Donald Trump reposted footage of a fatal tiger attack, theguardian.com reported.
William Chapman, 23, was mauled to death after entering an enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster, on Saturday, October 10, 2026. His relatives described him in a statement as bright, warm, and engaging, while noting he had suffered from severe mental illness over a number of years and was prescribed strong medication.
Donald Trump Shares Tiger Attack Video on Truth Social
On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Donald Trump posted a video clip of the fatal tiger attack to 13 million followers on his Truth Social platform, yahoo.com reported. The short clip showed the tiger biting and clawing Chapman as he sat in the enclosure, while not showing the fatal conclusion. Trump accompanied the footage with the signed message, Don’t ever mess with nature! President DJT.
On Wednesday morning, October 14, 2026, the US president followed up with an AI-generated video of himself grinning and play fighting with a tiger, scotsman.com reported. That second clip was accompanied by the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight, featured Trump copying a pointing gesture made by Chapman, and ended with the president hugging the animal.
Family Condemns Offensive Media and Calls for Investigation
In a statement released on Tuesday evening, October 13, 2026, Chapman’s relatives criticized the online reaction to his death. The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened,
the statement read, as reported by theguardian.com. 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 added that they are hopeful authorities will determine why Chapman entered the enclosure. They noted that it will be for the coroner to decide what part his prescribed strong medication and mental illness played in his death.
Safety Experts Warn of Increased Risks From Animal AI Videos
Will Travers, the executive president of the Born Free Foundation, criticized the AI-generated video shared by the former US president. Travers stated that the post was not only incredibly insensitive, but also increased risks to humans and captive wild animals by encouraging individuals to seek out direct and high-risk contact with them, according to theguardian.com reporting.
Coroner Opens Inquest as Wildlife Park Faces Health and Safety Inquiry
An inquest into Chapman’s death is scheduled to open at Doncaster Coroner’s Court on Thursday morning, October 15, 2026, according to yahoo.com. Meanwhile, Doncaster city council has launched a health and safety investigation into Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
The wildlife facility has remained closed since the weekend of October 10, 2026. Park officials confirmed that the Amur tiger involved in the incident, named Altai, will not be euthanised.
We loved watching William grow, both as a person and as a performer. It was a privilege to be part of his journey and he will be remembered with great fondness by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Jackie Palmer Stage School