Long before Moo Deng mania, another baby hippo took the world by storm: D.C.’s own William Johnson “Billy” Hippopotamus, who was gifted to President Calvin Coolidge in the 1920s.
Why it matters: In the world of celebrity hippodom, Billy walked so Moo Deng could run.
The big picture: Moo Deng (Thai translation: “bouncy pig”) and Billy are both rare pygmy hippos, a smaller, semi-aquatic breed that’s native to West Africa but endangered in the wild.
- They both became global celebrities for their feisty personalities and tubby, moist-chic look (now coveted by TikTok skincare influencers ).
Flashback: Exotic presidential pets were big back when — credit trendsetter George Washington and his camel . But President Calvin Coolidge and wife Grace took things to Ark-like levels, filling the White House with dogs, cats, geese, songbirds and a donkey.
- In the most Mississippi move ever, a southern supporter gifted the Coolidges a raccoon for their Thanksgiving dinner. They adopted it as a pet instead, and ” Rebecca the White House Raccoon ” became a Washington sensation.