In a claim that was almost immediately debunked by ABC News moderator David Muir, Trump said: “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs.The people that came in. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating – they’re eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what’s happening in our country, and it’s a shame.”
Trump was referring to a racist rumour spread by his running mate JD Vance that Haitian immigrants in the city of Springfield, Ohio had been abducting pets and eating them, “causing chaos” in the town. Springfield Police Division said it was aware of the “rumours” but has no information to support them.
Ever since Trump brought up Springfield, jokes about The Simpsons’ made-up hometown shot up on the internet, especially calling out the family’s dog, Santa’s Little Helper.
“IN SPRINGFIELD THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS,” wrote one person on X along with a picture of the cartoon pooch.
Another X user quoted Trump but this time also included an image of the Simpsons’ cat Snowball II.
Another netizen said, Santa’s Little Helper isn’t Homer’s lunch #PresidentialDebate.
Vice-presidential candidate JD Vance echoed the rumour about Haitian migrants eating people’s pets, posting on X: “Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn’t be in this country. Where is our border tsar?”
During the debate, a stunned Harris laughed in disbelief while moderator David Muir was quick to fact-check him.