UFC fighter Jim Miller made headlines at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, not only for his record-setting 27th victory in the UFC but for using his post-fight interview to highlight a controversial political issue.
After submitting his opponent Damon Jackson with a first-round guillotine chokehold, Miller addressed the story of P’Nut the Squirrel, a topic that has gained traction in conservative circles.
At tonight’s UFC event one fighter called for “justice for Peanut.”
It must be.
Heaven wills it. https://t.co/IvYNzTuPVK
— Walter Kirn (@walterkirn) November 17, 2024
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Miller, a New Jersey native, took the microphone from commentator Joe Rogan to deliver an unexpected message. “New York, I got one thing to say, first. We need justice for P’Nut,” Miller declared, referencing the case of a pet squirrel confiscated and euthanized by New York State last month.
The crowd at Madison Square Garden erupted with a mix of cheers and boos in response to Miller’s remarks. He continued, “It’s not just a squirrel. It’s all the kids that went hungry that night. And all the other things that the money and resources could’ve been put to.”
Miller concluded his statement with a nod to the recently launched Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative spearheaded by President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. “Hopefully that DOGE cleans things up down at the state level,” he said.
Rogan, known for his candid commentary, quipped in response, “I like how you used your post victory speech for a political rally.”
UFC Fighter Jim Miller uses his victory speech to say justice for Peanut the squirrel and hopes DOGE can clean up the misuse of resources @elonmusk @DOGE pic.twitter.com/JZ5XDgfBiB
— An0maly (@LegendaryEnergy) November 17, 2024
The story of P’Nut the Squirrel has become a symbol for conservatives criticizing government overreach.
P’Nut was confiscated from a private home and euthanized by New York State officials last month as part of a rabies testing protocol, sparking outrage from pet owners and advocates across the country.
The issue gained national attention, with figures like Elon Musk and Joe Rogan discussing the case.
Elon Musk: “They’re allowing violent criminals to go free, but they’re spending your tax dollars to come in and execute your fucking pets – We’ve got to fight back against this.”
Elon gets a bit emotional at the end thinking about P’Nut pic.twitter.com/B1xwqdDLcR
— ALEX (@ajtourville) November 5, 2024
Conservatives have pointed to P’Nut’s death as an example of excessive government intrusion into private lives and the misuse of state resources.
State officials confirmed earlier this week that the squirrel was euthanized to conduct a rabies test, which is standard procedure in cases involving potential zoonotic diseases.
However, the case has ignited debates about animal rights, government accountability, and the allocation of public resources.
Miller’s remarks reflect growing momentum within conservative circles to address perceived government inefficiencies and overreach.
The DOGE initiative, announced as part of the incoming Trump administration, aims to streamline federal operations and reduce waste, a goal closely aligned with the frustrations highlighted by P’Nut’s story.
Miller’s decision to spotlight the issue during his victory speech has amplified its visibility, particularly among UFC fans and attendees of the Madison Square Garden event.
Whether it was a moment of advocacy or an unorthodox use of a sports platform, Miller’s comments have added another chapter to the ongoing debate surrounding P’Nut’s case.
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