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

from NYC NOW · host WNYC

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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This episode was published on August 16, 2025.

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