Donald Trump’s AI video that appears to mock the man killed by a tiger at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park “should be greeted with the contempt it deserves”, Oliver Coppard has said.
The US president accompanied the short clip – which showed the animal biting and clawing Mr Chapman as he sat in the enclosure, but not him being killed – with the signed message: “Don’t ever mess with nature!”
Yesterday, Mr Trump followed this up with another post – this time an AI-generated video of him grappling with a tiger, which appears to mimic the original.
The clip, which is accompanied by the Tight Fit song The Lion Sleeps Tonight, features the president copying the pointing gesture made by Mr Chapman, and ends with him hugging the animal.
Mr Chapman’s family said: “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.”
They added that he had suffered from “significant mental illness over a number of years”.
Earlier today, Mr Coppard, the South Yorkshire Mayor, said that the family “spoke to my office yesterday, sharing the pain and suffering it's causing them knowing that videos and pictures of his death are being shared across social media”.
“The President of the United States now using AI to mock that incident and the pain felt by the family of Mr Chapman, for little more than a cheap laugh on social media, should be greeted with the contempt it deserves,” he said.
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“So I'm asking you, please, not to add to this family's pain.
“If someone shares the content with you, please don't pass it on. And, better still, please consider asking whoever shared it to stop doing so.
“What happened at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday was tragic, not least because it's a place so many people associate with a family day out.
“I know it was deeply traumatising for anyone who witnessed it. It was also hugely upsetting for the park's staff and the emergency service teams who had to deal with an incredibly challenging situation with both professionalism and compassion, as they always do. I'd like to pay tribute to them for their work on Saturday, and every day.
“Finally, I know people have questions about how and why this dreadful incident happened. But I would urge people not to speculate online.
“That speculation adds to the pain being endured by Mr Chapman’s family. A full investigation is underway, including an inquest, and the relevant authorities need the time and space to work their way through the incident. Answers will come in time.”
Downing Street said people should respect the views of Mr Chapman’s family but would not directly comment on Donald Trump posting the videos online.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I think obviously the family have made their position clear.
“Of course, we respect that position.”
But he added: “I’m not going to comment on the president’s social media channels, he’s got a press secretary who can speak to that.”
An inquest is due to open into the death at Doncaster Coroner’s Court tomorrow morning.