Internet sensation Moo Deng, affectionately referred to as the people’s princess, has ventured into forecasting the outcome of the 2024 United States election.
This charming pygmy hippo, whose name means ‘bouncy pork,’ became an internet star earlier this year. This was thanks to zookeeper Atthapon Nundee sharing videos of her engaging in activities like bathing, eating, and playfully nibbling on anything within reach in her enclosure.
Born approximately four months ago at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand, Moo Deng quickly became a viral sensation. She has inspired Saturday Night Live sketches and sparked a newfound interest in pygmy hippos.
Recently, Moo Deng has made headlines by seemingly picking the winner of the upcoming election.
In a video that was reportedly recorded on Monday (November 4), Moo Deng was presented with two watermelon fruit cakes, each bearing the names of presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris carved in Thai.
The baby hippo made her way to the melon inscribed with Trump’s name, unknowingly creating a stir while simply trying to enjoy a snack.
“Moo Deng is OVER,” tweeted a disenchanted former fan following her prediction. “I never trusted that hippo,” another Twitter user commented.
“Me working overtime to clear Moo Deng’s name because I know she would never vote for a republican,” another concerned Moo Deng supporter wrote.
While a considerable portion of Moo Deng’s fanbase expressed disappointment with her choice, there were those who rallied to her support.
“All the over emotional people are mad over an animal who just wants to eat,” observed one defender of Moo Deng, emphasizing that she is merely a pygmy hippo with a fondness for fruit.
“She’s just a baby she doesn’t know about politics please just give her a break,” pleaded another Moo Deng fan in all capital letters.
Moo Deng’s prediction comes amid national polls indicating a close race between Trump and Harris, who are nearly tied.
The most recent national poll averages, compiled by FiveThirtyEight, show Harris leading by a slight margin of one and a half points.
Whether Moo Deng’s prediction will hold true is something we will have to wait until tomorrow to discover.