Penguins targeted by Trump tariffs now have a (viral) social media account

Economic turmoil.  

Spooked markets.  

A new era of financial uncertainty. 

Donald Trump’s slate of massive tariffs, some of which went into effect Saturday, has sent shockwaves through global markets. And through the world of aquatic flightless birds.  

Indeed, in his infinite wisdom, Trump has slapped a 10 per cent tariff on an Australian territory with no human inhabitants: the Heard and McDonald Islands, two of the most remote places on Earth which are only accessible by a two-week boat trip from Perth. 

The islands are home to penguins and seals. Just penguins and seals.  

Unless the films Batman Returns, Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers and Happy Feet were all stealth documentaries, we’re pretty sure that penguins are incapable of carrying out exports. As for seals, the jury’s out, but we’re guessing they’re as trade-challenged as their Spheniscidae neighbours.  

Regardless, the penguins from the islands are mounting a resistance, in the form of a trending hashtag #PenguinsAgainstTrump on X. This has led some to get creative:

There's even a new social media account @PenguinsAgainstTrump on the platform Threads, with a description that reads: “A group of penguins living on the Heard and McDonald Islands - Not sure why we’re being tariffed - We love fish and hate fascists.”

And wouldn’t you know it, the penguins have a sense of humour. One of their standout posts reads: “What are you going to do, deport us? We’ve been dealing with ICE for centuries.” 

That's worth a flipper salute.

"Brilliant. Whoever wrote this should be responsible for monetary policy," commented one X user.

The account - which currently has 76.5K followers - has also reached out to former vice presidential candidate Tim Walz “for noticing the struggles of the average penguin”, after the Minnesota governor joked that Trump has “picked an adversary he thinks he can beat: an island of penguins”. 

The account has also put forward an explanation for the tariffs levelled against the Heard and McDonald Islands...

Holds up.  

Moral of the story: Penguins are not to be messed with and, if evidence is to be believed, they will participate in the "Tesla takedown" protests...

Flippers up!