How Pepe the Frog was co-opted by the alt-right

In an election season that’s been criticized as cartoonish, it must be noted that actual cartoons are also playing a role. For example, Pepe the Frog. Pepe is a cartoon frog with sleepy eyes. He looks stoned and a bit self-satisfied. You may have encountered Pepe the Frog on the internet. It’s where he was born in a stoner web comic more than 10 years ago. But recently, Pepe’s been co-opted by racist elements of the alt-right. Pepe frequently shows up in anti-semitic and white supremacy memes which Donald Trump Jr. has tweeted. Now there is an official Pepe explainer on Hillary Clinton’s campaign website which warns that Pepe is, “more sinister than you might realize.”