2 months ago
2
A penguin somehow caused a helicopter to crash in South Africa, and all people can do is make tariff jokes on social media.
According to the BBC, a report into the incident revealed that the Jan. 19 crash occurred because of an “unsecured” penguin in a cardboard box.
The box containing the water bird was on a passenger’s lap, but then slipped off and knocked the pilot’s controls after takeoff.
Although the helicopter crashed to the ground, no one on the flight ― including the penguin ― was injured. Still, investigators said “the lack of secure containment for the penguin” created a “dangerous situation.”
The report did not explain why the penguin was on the helicopter in the first place, but many people on social media jokingly assumed it must have been on a revenge mission against the U.S.
That’s because Donald Trump in his infinite wisdom decided last week to impose tariffs on two barren islands near Antarctica that are populated mostly by penguins ― no humans at all.
And, yes, social media had a field day creating a new completely false conspiracy theory around the helicopter crash and the penguin tariffs.
Revenge of the penguin tariffs 😎
— DanDubbleD ☆ (@ItzDubbleD) April 10, 2025The tariffs and trade war have awoken a slumbering giant. Soon, no one will be safe from The Penguin Empire
— Joe Sturgeon (@joesturgeon) April 10, 2025We will fight on the land, we will fight on the sea, we will fight in the air...we will never surrender to these unjust tariffs
- unnamed penguin spokesperson, at undisclosed location for a clean SECOP https://t.co/Qg4SrvoJee
Can’t tell if this is because the little dude knew he was supposed to be a flightless bird, or if it’s just the start of penguin retribution for the Trump Tariffs. https://t.co/TX08fLcNtQ
— Cameron (@CABrafford) April 10, 2025We Don't Work For Billionaires. We Work For You.
Big money interests are running the government — and influencing the news you read. While other outlets are retreating behind paywalls and bending the knee to political pressure, HuffPost is proud to be unbought and unfiltered. Will you help us keep it that way? You can even access our stories ad-free.
You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again. We won't back down from our mission of providing free, fair news during this critical moment. But we can't do it without you.
For the first time, we're offering an ad-free experience to qualifying contributors who support our fearless journalism. We hope you'll join us.
You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again. We won't back down from our mission of providing free, fair news during this critical moment. But we can't do it without you.
For the first time, we're offering an ad-free experience to qualifying contributors who support our fearless journalism. We hope you'll join us.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
English (US) ·