On Monday January 29, 2024, Elmo posted, “Elmo is just checking in!  How is everybody doing?” on Twitter.  The post has since gone viral with about 200 million views and thousands of the most depressing responses.  The next day, the Elmo account posted a reaction saying, “Wow! Elmo is glad he asked! Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how they are doing. Elmo will check in again soon, friends! Elmo loves you. #EmotionalWellBeing.”

According to a Fox News article, Biden later posted, “I know how hard it is some days to sweep the clouds away and get to sunnier days. Our friend Elmo is right: We have to be there for each other, offer our help to a neighbor in need, and above all else, ask for help when we need it. Even though it’s hard, you’re never alone.”  The media’s reaction to the president’s reply have been anything but positive.  

The Elmo post had since gone viral, with users saying very depressing things in the replies. According to another Fox News article, one user by the name of Tyhre replied, “Elmo, my man, you been to the grocery store lately?  I don’t know if you drive, but you filled up a gas tank?  Stop gas lighting us. You know it’s real out here.”  Another user said, “Not feeling too tickled about life rn, Elmo.”  

Some companies even saw the viral post, and saw it as an opportunity to promote their products.  Dr. Phil, for example, replied with an ad for his book, “We’ve Got Issues.”  Even restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings and Chipotle posted ads of their own.