Who Is ‘Jimothy’? The Viral, Round Raccoon, Explained
The unusual raccoon has drawn millions of views and official tributes as fans celebrate its survival with a suspected rare spinal deformity.
- On Sunday, City Councilmembers Alexis Mercedes Rink and Councilmember Dan Strauss officially proclaimed 2026 as 'Jimothy Summer' during a community celebration in Ballard, Seattle, honoring the viral raccoon.
- The raccoon, thought to have short spine syndrome, went viral after a local resident posted a five-second video on Instagram this month, sparking widespread internet fandom for the underdog.
- Hundreds gathered at Bergen Place Park on Sunday for an art contest featuring 'Saint Jimothy' stained glass and other creative works, showcasing the community's pride in their unique mascot.
- Major brands including Budweiser and NASA have acknowledged the raccoon, with the official NASA account stating on Twitter, "Jimothy runs this city," demonstrating his widespread cultural reach.
- Despite challenges from a suspected rare cervical vertebral malformation, Jimothy has thrived due to his mother's devoted care, becoming a resilience symbol that resonates with Seattle residents.
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40 Articles
Reality Tea
MandatoryJimothy the Raccoon's MAGA Makeover Met With Backlash
Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images Jimothy Raccoon, a viral raccoon from Seattle, is now at the centre of a MAGA-related controversy. The meme featuring the viral animal shared by the White House social media drew backlash from online users. Jimothy’s political makeover drew criticism from fans who loved the original meme Jimothy spotted on the way to Washington D.C. pic.twitter.com/LSs4YFl2dq— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July …
Anna Paulina Luna and Tim Burchett call for Jimothy's protection
Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Tim Burchett (R-TN) are calling for the city of Seattle to protect Jimothy, an internet-famous raccoon. “We are requesting that your office ensure that Jimothy be enrolled in any and all relevant community carnivore monitoring initiatives,” the letter obtained by TMZ reads. The raccoon, named Jimothy, went viral this month after videos of him in Seattle surfaced. Jimothy has an unusually short and rounded spine…
A raccoon from Seattle with a spinal condition is going viral due to extreme cuteness. Jimothy is on T-shirts and mugs. But the animal is likely suffering.
Seattle honors their viral raccoon by declaring ‘Jimothy Summer’
Last week when we talked about Kesha very respectfully imploring a trespassing raccoon to please remove himself from her home, a lovely commenter noted: “The summer belongs to Jimothy, no other raccoon can compare.” While we at CB recognize there is room in our hearts for multiple raccoon love (from a distance), the comment was prescient. On Sunday, the city of Seattle, Jimothy’s home turf, officially and legally declared it to be “Jimothy Summe…
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