THE CREATOR OF the Pepe the Frog cartoon has symbolically killed off his creation due to its association with racism and the alt-right movement.
Matt Furie first designed the cartoon in 2005 as part of his “Boys Club” series but it has since taken on a life of its own, most strikingly by white supremacists who have altered it in a variety of poses including as a nazi.
Online, many alt-right supporters identify themselves as such using the Pepe the Frog symbol.
Donald Trump previously tweeted the image after it was tweeted to him by a supporter.
Furie has attempted to reclaim the symbol in recent years but now appears to have given up on his creation, publishing a cartoon in Fantagraphics that depicts a dead Pepe being mourned by his friends.
During the US presidential election campaign, the Clinton campaign decried the “horrifying” use of the frog meme, calling Pepe “a symbol associated with white supremacy.”
Jewish lobby group the Anti-Defamation League also designated Pepe as a hate symbol alongside symbols such as the swastika and the “Blood Drop Cross” of the KKK.
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