As the 2024 US election draws near, one of the more unusual predictors has entered the spotlight: Moo Deng, a hippopotamus from Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. Known for his entertaining antics, Moo Deng gained international attention after being humorously nominated as a candidate for the next US president, receiving a comical, though significant, number of votes.
On November 5, 2024, as the election countdown continued, Moo Deng’s page administrator, Nong Moo Deng, shared an update revealing that the hippo would be stepping down from his presidential bid due to his busy schedule, which primarily consists of sleeping and making appearances. Instead of running, Moo Deng announced his new role as an election predictor, having made his choice for the next US president.
In a playful ceremony, officials at Khao Kheow Open Zoo carved fruit krathongs and engraved the names of key US candidates—Kamala Harris and Donald Trump—on watermelon rinds. The result? Moo Deng picked Donald Trump as the winner.
As expected, fans of Moo Deng joked that the hippo likely couldn’t read the detailed guide to becoming US president in time, with some light-hearted teasing about a possible penalty of 99 dragon fruits if Moo Deng’s prediction turned out to be correct. Despite the jokes, Moo Deng’s prediction has added a unique and whimsical element to the ongoing election speculation.
In keeping with his fun-loving spirit, Moo Deng emphasized that betting or gambling was strictly prohibited, in accordance with his observance of the five Buddhist precepts.
While Moo Deng’s prediction is far from serious, it has captured the imagination of people worldwide, further cementing his status as a beloved figure both in Thailand and internationally.
