Elmo appears to have activated LinkedIn’s “Open for Work” tab.
A post on the employment social media network attributed to the adorable “Sesame Street” character has gone viral.
“Unfortunately, Elmo was recently laid off because of the federal budget cuts. Elmo worked at ‘Sesame Street’ for 45 years. Elmo is sad. Elmo loved his time at ‘Sesame Street,'” the three-and-a-half-year-old explained. “Elmo is going to miss his friends Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert, Abby, Grover, Count and so many more. They made Elmo’s day so much better.”
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind the show, told Complex the account isn’t tied to them. While it isn’t official and is from a fake account, the statement does pull at your heartstrings.
“Elmo is looking for his next opportunity Elmo is good at so many things,” he continued. “Like hugs. Elmo LOVES giving hugs. Elmo can also recognize the letter E, spell his name, feel empathy, sing ‘Elmo’s Song’ and ask how you are doing. Elmo is open to full-time or freelance roles.”
“While Elmo is sad, Elmo is excited for what’s next. And one more thing: Elmo loves you.”
The post comes after President Donald Trump signed the Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media.
The order instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other federal agencies “to cease Federal funding for NPR and PBS” and further requires that they work to root out indirect sources of public financing for the news organizations. The White House, in a social media posting announcing the signing, said the outlets “receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news.’”
Fans of Elmo immediately went to X to weigh in.
“If Elmo gets laid off, what hope is there for the rest of us,” wrote one user.
“We live in a world where Elmo has been laid off. Let that sink in…” wrote another.
With PBS being the home of “Sesame Street,” the post from the fake Elmo seems very real.
Earlier this week, Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Chief Executive Officer Patricia Harrison addressed the cuts in the following:
“Nearly every parent has raised their kids on public broadcasting’s children’s content. For the past 30 years, Ready To Learn-funded PBS KIDS content has produced measurable, real-world impacts on children’s learning,” she explained. “Ready To Learn has received strong bipartisan support from Congress for the last 30 years because of the programs’ proven educational value in advancing early learning skills for all children. We will work with Congress and the Administration to preserve funding for this essential program.”
