A Squirrel Named Peanut, a Viral Backlash, and the Culture War That Followed

NYC NOW | Aug 16, 2025

A beloved squirrel named Peanut, a raid by New York environmental officers, and a maelstrom of online outrage. What began as a wildlife seizure turned into a viral flashpoint in the culture wars, with fallout for innocent bystanders, overwhelmed state agencies, and the enforcement of environmental law. WNYC’s Jon Campbell unravels the saga from internet stardom to state intervention, revealing a story of mistaken identity, government overreach, and the power of online fury in an election year.

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