Sesame Street Slams “Disgusting” Posts on Elmo’s Account After Hack
Elmo's social media has been hacked. A series of posts containing antisemitic language and criticisms of President Donald Trump appeared on the Sesame Street character’s official X (formerly Twitter) page, as seen in widely-circulated screenshots.
In response, Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind the long-running series, issued a statement condemning the profanity-ridden posts, which have since been deleted. “Elmo's X account was compromised today by an unknown hacker who posted disgusting messages, including antisemitic and racist posts,” a spokesperson for the company told NBC News July 14.
"We are working to restore full control of the account," the spokesperson added.
Recent Controversies Surrounding Sesame Street
Sesame Street has been at the center of several controversies in recent years, including allegations of racism and sexism. In 2018, Elmo's puppeteer Caroll Spinney retired after 48 years on the show.
In May 2020, Trump signed an executive order to cut federal funding to PBS and NPR, throwing the future of Sesame Street into question. The show has since partnered with Netflix to continue production.
A Brief History of Sesame Street
Sesame Street was created in 1966 by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, with the goal of using television to teach children important skills like literacy and numeracy.
The show's iconic characters, including Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch, were designed to be lovable and relatable, and have become beloved by children and adults alike.
Interesting Facts About Sesame Street
- Sesame Street has won 227 Emmys, more than any other TV series. The show reaches over 150 million children across the globe.
- The idea for Sesame Street was sparked by a dinner party conversation between Cooney and Morrisett in 1966.
- Big Bird is one of Sesame Street's original characters and is one of the most iconic children's characters in pop culture.
- Cookie Monster's real name is Sid, which he got after trying a cookie for the first time.
- Sesame Workshop produces over 150 versions of the show in 70 languages, with one million kids playing with a Sesame Street toy on any given day.
A Look Back at Some of Sesame Street's Most Iconic Muppets
Some of Sesame Street's most iconic Muppets include:
- Kermit the Frog, who was one of the original Muppets on the show but left after season one.
- Humphrey the Hippo, a popular character in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Professor Hastings, Harvey Kneeslapper, and Bruno the Trashman, all retired Muppets from the show.
The Show's Evolution Over the Years
Sesame Street has undergone several changes over the years, including a new format in 2002 that increased its focus on narrative storytelling.
In 2019, Sesame Workshop released a statement clarifying the relationship between Bert and Ernie, two beloved characters who had been on the show since its inception.
A Look at Some of Sesame Street's Most Notable Episodes
- A 1976 episode featuring Margaret Hamilton reprising her iconic role as the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz was banned after receiving an influx of letters from parents.
- In 2012, Elmo's puppeteer Kevin Clash left the series after he was accused of having a sexual relationship with a man that began when his accuser was 16 years old.
The Future of Sesame Street
Sesame Workshop continues to produce new content for the show, including the popular segment Elmo's World.
With its commitment to educating children and promoting diversity and inclusion, Sesame Street remains one of the most beloved and respected television shows in the world.