Social media and networking site LinkedIn has long been known for its ability to make undergrads weep while supplying shitposters with a never-ending supply of tech-bro memes. But on Wednesday, a surprising figure joined people’s feeds with an employment update: Sesame Street icon and rabble rouser Elmo.
“Hi LinkedIn, unfortunately Elmo was recently laid off because of the federal budget cuts,” read a post from a profile claiming to be Rocco’s fuzzy red opp. “Elmo worked at Sesame Street for 45 years. Elmo is sad. Elmo loved his time at Sesame Street.”
While this was obviously not written by the authorized Elmo accounts (although the official Elmo does often post on X and TikTok), the ensuing message went light on the detail about the beloved puppets next steps and more heavy on thank yous. “Elmo is going to miss his friends Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert, Abby, Grover, Count, and so many more,” it read. “They made Elmo’s day so much better.” In a list of his skills and accomplishments, Elmo included giving hugs, recognizing the letter E, spelling his name, and feeling empathy — while also noting his availability for both full time and freelance positions. (Don’t do it Elmo, the quarterly taxes will eat you alive!) At the end of the post was a link directing readers to a public petition urging Americans to contact their representatives and demand they oppose President Donald Trump’s attempts to pull federal funding for public media — like the Public Broadcasting Service, which has been home to Sesame Street since 1969.
The post has since been deleted, but not without spreading to X, Reddit, and TikTok, receiving thousands of retweets, views, and comments about Trump’s attempt to defund PBS. “When the job market is so bad even Elmo can’t find a job,” read one TikTok caption. “We have to shut down LinkedIn until we figure out what the hell is going on,” writer Manny Fidel tweeted. Florida Congressman Jared Mosckowitz even offered Elmo an internship to “to see first hand how Congress is functioning these days!” (Note: It did not include a pay rate.) PBS did not immediately return a request for comment.
Elmo’s post comes amid heightened tensions between the Trump administration and funded public media. On May 1, Trump announced an executive order demanding the end of all federal funding for NPR and PBS, on the grounds that they allegedly “receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news,’” according to a White House social media post. On Wednesday, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced that some of Trump’s grant cancellations included the Ready To Learn program, which gave $23 million to educational kids shows and games.
Perhaps New Mexico Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury said it best, while calling Trump’s plans an “unprecedented” attack on the media and freedom of the press.
“In Donald Trump’s America, not even Elmo is safe.”
#Viral #Post #Urges #PBS #Support
