Family of man mauled to death by tiger slams Trump for sharing AI video as inquest into his death is set to open
The family of William Chapman, the 23-year-old mauled to death by Siberian tiger Altai at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday, has condemned "deeply offensive media content" causing them "severe distress" — directing criticism squarely at President Trump, who first reposted actual footage of the attack to 13 million Truth Social followers, then followed it up with an AI-generated video of himself grappling and hugging a tiger to the soundtrack of 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'. The family described Chapman as "a bright, warm and engaging young man" who had suffered significant mental illness and been prescribed strong medication. An inquest is set to open at Doncaster Coroner's Court on Thursday, and the local mayor has also issued a plea over Trump's posts.
Chapman, a former child actor, had been dancing on his headphones and filming himself on Instagram moments before he leapt into the enclosure and approached Altai.
A woman at the park reportedly tried desperately to pull Chapman back before he overpowered her and jumped from a bridge into the tiger pen.
Altai, the 440lb Amur tiger, is 'safe and well' and will not be put down, the park confirmed.