The internet went nuts after a squirrel was spotted running across the stage moments before Kamala Harris gave her concession speech on Wednesday, leading some to joke that it was the euthanized Peanut the squirrel returning to haunt the vice-president.
A squirrel could be seen weaving past American flags behind the podium on the Howard University campus in Washington, D.C. as supporters gathered waiting for the Democratic candidate to arrive.
Footage of the squirrel quickly made its way to social media and many were eager to suggest that Peanut, whose death at the hands of New York state officials last week became an unlikely election talking point, had been resurrected.
“The ghost off peanut the squirrel showed up to haunt Kamala at her ‘I failed’ speech,” one user posted on X, the New York Post reported.
Another said “The Spirit of PNut lives on!” while yet another wrote “The ghost of Peanut making a victory lap.”
“The ghost of Peanut was seen already haunting Kamala,” one user posted.
The death of the seven-year-old grey rescue squirrel sparked backlash, including from Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance, in the days leading up to the election.
The squirrel and his raccoon pal named Fred were seized and later euthanized by state Department of Environmental Conservation officials following anonymous complaints over rabies fears.
The squirrel’s owner, Mark Longo, has vowed to sue state officials.
“This is much bigger than a squirrel and a raccoon. This is about government overreach,” he told the Post. “We want justice for what transpired at my home. You violated my home. You assassinated my animals.”