'Elmo loves you': Here's why the Sesame Street character is trending on X

There are times when a simple “How are you?” can make a difference, just like what Elmo did on X.

Social media users found a way to dump their emotional baggage after Sesame Street’s Elmo asked how they were doing in a tweet on Tuesday, Jan. 29.

“Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” the iconic childhood Muppet wrote, garnering varying answers—from positive ones to hilarious yet dark responses in line with their well-being. 

Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?

— Elmo (@elmo) January 29, 2024

“Honestly, I’m in a really good place [right now],” American rapper-singer Chance The Rapper wrote. 

Some X users, meanwhile, opened up about how “down” and miserable they have been feeling—from celebrities like The Hunger Games star Rachel Zegler, singer-actress Dionne Warwick to big brands like web browser Firefox, food brands Sour Patch Kids and Oreo, to the video game Among Us. 

“[R]esisting the urge to tell Elmo that I am kinda sad,” Rachel wrote. 

“Elmo we are tired,” an X user wrote. 

"Do [you] want my real answer, Elmo?" Sour Patch Kids posted. 

[R]an out of milk. do the math," Oreo wrote, while Among Us simply replied, "Suffering."

"It's been a tough time since we left the street and entered the workforce, Elmo," said tech site VR On The Web.

In a tweet that garnered over 12,000 hits, YouTuber Steven McInerney shared "The world is burning around us, Elmo."

“[W]e started this year. STARTED IT by trauma dumping so hard on [E]lmo the official sesame street account had to tweet out mental health resources. [G]od help us,” another X user quipped. 

"We’re okay…. But why’d you go and make the streets look fun and inspiring…. This world [doesn’t] like us Elmo," another one replied with a crying emoji.

Meanwhile, Dionne simply quoted Elmo's tweet with with a GIF of her looking defeated by slightly smiling and nodding. 

“Just kidding, [Elmo], I am doing well,” she added in a separate reply. 

On the bright side, some also made sure to check in on Elmo.

"[H]ow are YOU, Elmo? Enough about us," an X user said. Another one added, "Has anyone checked in on you, Elmo? How’re you, pal?"

After receiving such an overwhelming response, Elmo posted another tweet stressing the importance of checking in on your friends. "Wow! Elmo is glad he asked! Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how they are doing. Elmo will check in again soon, friends! Elmo loves you," he wrote, adding the hashtag #EmotionalWellBeing.

Elmo's squad also supported their favorite red pal. Cookie Monster said, "Me here to talk it out whenever you want. Me will also supply cookies."