As a kid, Pinocchio taught me that I shouldn’t lie — partially because it’s bad, mostly because, if you’re dishonest, your nose will grow and make you look funny. And on Sunday night, Disney posted a dark Pinocchio tweet that had everyone scratching their heads, applauding or sharing messages of concern for the happy-go-lucky brand.
The tweet, which has since been deleted, stated, “When someone compliments you, but you’re dead inside” and included a meme of a spell failing to bring Pinocchio back to life. Like so:
Disney then added to the dark Pinocchio tweet: “Makes no difference who you are.”
for more than 17 hours, the official Disney account had a meme of Pinocchio staying a puppet despite the magic spell with caption “when someone compliments you but you’re dead inside” ? pic.twitter.com/rMqZzZsrWp
— Andrew Luck (@FauxAndyLuck) April 9, 2018
Was Disney — a company who’s all about making childhood hopes and dreams a reality — implying that there really is no hope for anyone? That we’re all dead inside no matter who we are? That our lifeless souls cannot be saved by others or ourselves?
As of this afternoon (April 10), one day after the dark Pinocchio tweet was deleted, Disney has stuck to retweeting. Exhibit A:
Check out photos from the @Avengers: #InfinityWar red-carpet fan event in London! pic.twitter.com/R2Wg6Ce5kh
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) April 9, 2018
Reactions to Disney’s dark Pinocchio tweet
Some people really liked the dark humor:
Promote your social media writer to president of company now because bravo ???????
— Keane Li (@keaneli) April 8, 2018
omg @Disney deleted their dead inside tweet. disney intern you’re doing amazing sweetie! don’t let the higher-ups kill your creativity. this was great pic.twitter.com/Xq2YoQZcfN
— Josh Grant (@thejoshuagrant) April 9, 2018
This image makes me laugh harder than it should have@Disney, put the old tweet back up. I want a copy pic.twitter.com/ux9lEcS7hC
— Fox Keegan (@FoxCurtailed) April 9, 2018
Others noted how severely off-brand the tweet was:
RIP Disney Tweet. May your now former social media manager find a new job quickly pic.twitter.com/k5p7kd0VW8
— Your Fave Dave (@Aerocles) April 9, 2018
After the dark Pinocchio tweet, most just wanted to know if Disney was ok:
Hey, Disney… pic.twitter.com/QEbEHE73tU
— CJ Johannesén (@phatseejay) April 8, 2018
You will be alright. There, there. pic.twitter.com/dD9enWUjAg
— Natalie Fraehlich (@nfraehlich) April 8, 2018
Just glad to know that no one is immune to an emotional breakdown. WE GOT U BOO. pic.twitter.com/YdhOunf2Yw
— Melanie (@MissusMelnee) April 8, 2018
Here’s what the real message from the “Pinocchio” film is supposed to be — to cheer up any souls out there who lost hope in the usually-optimistic Disney during this confusing time:
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you
Hang in there, Disney. We’re all rooting for you.