Bethesda has reportedly deleted a social media post that featured a clip from the new ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’ DLC, ‘Order of Giants.’ The clip, originally shared on September 14, showed Indiana Jones petting a cat and stating, “you don’t care much about those fascists, do you?” This post quickly drew criticism, with some interpreting it as a jab at conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, whose tragic fatal shooting occurred just four days prior on September 10.
The now-removed video, simply captioned “good kitty,” was part of a broader social media campaign for the game’s DLC. Notably, Bethesda’s official accounts had been consistently sharing short clips and images related to the action-adventure game’s new content since its release. It’s also worth remembering that ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’ is set in 1937, a period when fascist regimes led by figures like Hitler and Mussolini were prominently in power, providing historical context for the game’s themes.
Despite its swift deletion, screenshots of the clip have circulated widely across various social media platforms. The close timing to Kirk’s death fueled speculation that the post was a direct reference to him. However, considering it was part of a larger, ongoing promotional push, it’s plausible that the timing was purely coincidental and unintended to be related to the recent events.
The political atmosphere on social media has been particularly tense following the shooting of Kirk, a well-known and often controversial figure with a significant online presence, recognized for his viral debate videos. The incident has spurred further divisions and speculation regarding the alleged shooter’s motives and political affiliations, both within the United States and globally. Tyler Robinson, the suspected shooter, is expected to face charges this week.
As of now, Bethesda has not publicly commented on the clip’s deletion or the surrounding controversy. We have reached out to the developer for a statement and will provide updates as new information becomes available.