His social media rants are rife with examples of him lashing out like a petulant child.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
The current POTUS is apparently incapable of laughing at himself—or allowing anyone else to do it, if his reaction to Saturday Night Live is any indication.
It's this character flaw that many are now pointing to as the reason the Trump administration has targeted the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), National Public Radio (NPR), and Sesame Street in particular.
Trump tried to kill funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting—parent organization for PBS and NPR—in 2017 during his first presidency, but was unsuccessful.
But what's the beef between Trump and the denizens of a fictional neighborhood?
It literally goes back decades to 1988—37 years ago. As with SNL, Trump has been parodied by Sesame Street. Twice, the character was shady real estate developer Ronald Grump. In the last iteration, Donald Grump was looking for an (The) Apprentice.
Ronald Grump the Muppet in 1988; Joe Pesci as Ronald Grump in 1994; Donald Grump in 2005PBS
And a resurfaced clip of one of those times has gone viral on X with the caption:
"This episode of Sesame Street back in 1988 is why Trump is targeting PBS and Sesame Street so much! The episode was Ronald Grump intends to raze Sesame Street and redevelop it! Does this sound familiar because that’s what he does everywhere!"
You can see it here:
While the caption says the video is from 1988, it's actually from the Sesame Street 25th anniversary special in 1994 when Joe Pesci played ruthless real estate developer Ronald Grump. He planned to evict all of the inhabitants and raze the neighborhood to build Grump World.
Other clips also began to appear on social media as well.
The Washington Post compiled a video of the three incarnations of Trump on Sesame Street.
- YouTubeyoutu.be
In 1988, the Muppet character Ronald Grump approaches Oscar the Grouch with his plans to build Grump Tower.
The deal ends up not being all that was promised.
PBS
You can see the full 10-minute segment here:
- YouTubeyoutu.be
For the 25th anniversary of Sesame Street in 1994, a number of stars visited the neighborhood. Joe Pesci reprised the role of Ronald Grump, but with a more familiar style of dress and hairstyle.
To get cooperation with his plans for Grump World, Ronald Grump told the residents:
"I love you people. You deserve some of the finer things. Trust me, you won’t miss all this. You all get shiny new apartments! You’ll even get a concierge."
But he later decides to evict all of the residents after they push back on his plans, saying:
"OK OK, that’s it! I tried to be nice to you people, but you don’t want to listen! You got two weeks—pack up and get out!"
His plans are, of course, thwarted.
In 2005, a new Muppet is introduced. Donald Grump comes to Sesame Street in search of an apprentice. Grump is a wealthy Grouch with the "most trash in the world."
This version wears a suit and sports a bright orange wig.
Elmo wins the competition to become Mr. Grump's apprentice against Oscar, Grundgetta, Omagrossa, and Swampy. But he's promptly told he's fired for being too good at the job.
Donald Grump said:
"I’m a Grouch! I can’t have a good helper! I got my reputation to think of. Scram! You’re fired."
You can see the segment here:
- YouTubeyoutu.be
A Muppet version of Donald Trump was slated to appear in the episode as a cab driver, as shown by production stills and the plot synopsis.
But Muppet Trump never made it into the episode.
PBS
People didn't find the theory about Trump's dislike for Sesame Street to be a stretch.
Sesame Street has been on air since 1969, but if the Trump administration and their MAGA minions in Congress have their way, 2025 will see it closing up shop and The Muppets looking for gainful employment elsewhere.
Elmo already has his feelers out.
