The White House calls Harambe “true patriot” in 10 year anniversary of his death

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Ten years after Harambe the gorilla tragically died when a child fell into his exhibit, the White House has issued a statement honoring the famous animal.

Many people likely remember the widely shared story from 2016 involving a three-year-old child who fell into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo. Zoo keepers were forced to shoot and kill the gorilla, named Harambe, to protect the child after he began moving the child around.

The incident sparked widespread public anger, as many people believed Harambe hadn’t posed a threat to the child and didn’t deserve to be killed. This led to an explosion of online memes, some questionable merchandise, tributes in film and music (even a song by Elon Musk), memorials around the world, and the creation of International Harambe Day on May 28th – the anniversary of his death.

It’s been a decade since that event, and many people are reflecting on it, including a rather unusual statement made by the White House.

White House posts statement on Harambe’s death

To mark the 10th anniversary of Harambe’s death, the White House shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) calling the gorilla an “icon.” The post recognized Harambe as a symbol of loyalty, strength, unpredictability, togetherness, and the unique way the internet can unite people – in this case, to remember him.

Today would have been Harambe’s birthday. He quickly became a cultural icon and a significant part of internet history, capturing the attention of an entire generation. Tomorrow will be the 10-year anniversary of his passing – a moment when the world paused and shared in a collective sadness that went beyond just an internet joke.

Today, we honor the memory of Harambe. It would have been his birthday, and he remains a cultural icon for many, especially a generation that grew up with him as part of internet history. Tomorrow will mark ten years since his passing – ten years since that unforgettable moment.

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 27, 2026

People vividly recall hearing the news, and even ten years later, his impact is still felt. They concluded with a heartfelt tribute: “He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, true patriot.”

It would have been Harambe’s 27th birthday this year. Since gorillas in captivity typically live around 50 years, he would likely still be alive today. Perhaps he’d even be as popular online as the cute dog, Punch!

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2026-05-28 13:49