Recently, the official social media account of the DHS - the Department of Homeland Security - issued a tweet utilising generative AI.

The full tweet, titled 'Age of Deportation', depicts the character of Optimus Prime as being associated with the DHS, ICE and the Trump Administration. In light of Mr Cullen's passing, this tweet has left many fans, myself included, feeling betrayed and outraged by what is an exploitative and harmful misuse of an iconic character. A Leader whose motto - for forty-two years - was Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.  

This grievous abuse of intellectual property and good taste is not only an affront to Peter Cullen - a legendary voice actor who has immeasurably contributed to the Transformers universe-  but it is also an affront to Larry Cullen - a Marine who inspired Peter Cullen's portrayal of Optimus Prime with the phrase 'Strong Enough to be Gentle'.

Ergo, given the deafening silence from Hasbro's CEO, it is imperative that we urge Hasbro, as the proprietor of the Transformers brand, to take a firm stand. 

• We urge Hasbro to denounce the DHS' unauthorised usage of Optimus Prime's face, voice, and likeness that only serves to undermine the legacy of a man who is no longer alive to defend himself.
• We urge Chris Cocks, as the CEO, to publicly and vehemently denounce this exploitative display on all platforms.
• We propose that Hasbro engage in legal avenues to prevent future misuse of ALL its intellectual properties,  to ensure the same ideals they have represented for forty-two years remain intact.
• And most of all, we urge the DHS to remove this tweet and never associate itself with the character again.

If anyone in the company should read this, then please. Do the right thing.

Let the man rest in peace.