Sesame Street’s Elmo could be affected by U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts.
Part of the proposed budget includes reduced funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which could cause problems in PBS’s budget.
What’s Trending decided to spell out how Elmo would feel about getting laid off in a parody video that has gone viral.
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The video shows Elmo getting laid off by a stern off-camera voice.
“Elmo … It does me no great joy to inform you that due to recent cuts in government funding to PBS, you are no longer employed by Sesame Street Workshop,” a man tells the red puppet.
Elmo becomes confused.
“Just like that?! Elmo’s been working at Sesame Street for 32 years!… “Elmo’s rent just went up. … Elmo hasn’t been unemployed since the ’80s. What’s going to happen to Elmo’s insurance? Elmo has pre-existing condition.”
“Elmo, the Trump administration is cutting ALL arts and education funding from the new congressional budget,” the man’s voice tells Elmo.
“Elmo’s only real talent is… being ELMO!” the puppet pleads.
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The voice suggests that Elmo might as well get a job taking pictures with tourists in Times Square. He is politely informed that he should apply for government health care while he still can because “that’s being gutted, too.”
The end of the video encourages viewers to support PBS and call their local representatives.
Jimmy Kimmel made a similar parody this week in which Big Bird gets fired in place of Elmo.
This is not the first time Elmo has been fired by Trump.
In 2015, Sesame Street aired an episode featuring a muppet named Donald Grump who hires Elmo to be his assistant. Elmo is fired, for no apparent reason, despite his hard work. The lesson of the episode was “Don’t get greedy.”
Watch the full What’s Trending video below.
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