As the votes were rolling in for the 2016 presidential election, rumors about write-in votes sparked hilarity and anger among those on social media.

Over 11,000 people voted for Harambe. Harambe is a dead gorilla.
Those 11,000 votes would have saved our country. #ElectionNight

— David Leavitt 🎲🎮🧙‍♂️🌈 (@David_Leavitt) November 9, 2016

https://twitter.com/JayJazzi/status/796210414170345472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/TheAnonnMessage/status/796217813555937281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/jkdforthree/status/796364099395391489

I'm getting word we have broken 15,000 votes for Harambe, I will not concede until all votes are counted #harambe2016 #electionresults

— Harambe 2016 (@PresHarambe2016) November 9, 2016

Although official numbers are unconfirmed, it seems clear that thousands of Americans chose to indulge in a laugh rather than vote for a valid candidate.  

The result? A divided twitter and social media sphere in general as many laughs turned to criticism. If the numbers of responses related to these posts are any indication, write-in votes for Harambe, the Gorilla killed earlier this year at the Cincinnati Zoo and  Hennessy, the alcoholic drink brand, could have reached tens of thousands.

We might never know an official tally on the votes Harambe received for President. What is clear is that write-ins, so-called protest votes and votes going to third party candidates such as Gary Johnson that could have swung the presidential vote in a different direction has angered many.

https://twitter.com/GoCrazyHecToR/status/796256891395391488

I hope #jillStein and #garyJohnson are happy! #Trump needs to thank them for his win!

— John Leguizamo (@JohnLeguizamo) November 9, 2016

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