I have been something of a lonely voice defending Trump on his viral "They are eating the dogs and cats" charge during the debate. 

Political commentators naturally have gone nuts about the claim, both because it seems implausible on its face and because it is, legitimately unconfirmed. They are rumors, not established facts. 

Harris and the Democrats have made fun of him, the mainstream media have blasted him, and even Republicans are secretly and not-so-secretly cringing about the insanity of Trump going there. 

I think they are dead wrong and still believe that Trump can capitalize on the issue. 

Why?

Definitely would have to be Sarah McLachlan new ad..
OP : @men_odins pic.twitter.com/GbBd6K7KLf

— 𓅓CS𓅓 Constitutional 𝕏 Solutions (@const_solutions) September 10, 2024

A couple of reasons: first, what is happening in Springfield really is startling; residents really are suffering, and nobody cared until Trump's wild comments. While that is good for Springfield--suddenly, resources are flowing to the city in response to the notoriety--that in itself isn't going to move a single vote outside the city. 

The second reason is that Trump created a meme that has caught on, and intellectuals may be frustrated that a (perhaps) half-truth created it, the plight of Springfield residents has caught the attention of millions of people and reminded them that unchecked migration is not good for Americans. 

Legendary 🙏🏻

pic.twitter.com/KhkFmn1r3w

— 𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) September 13, 2024

AI images have popped up everywhere, and I will be sharing a lot of them in my Sunday Smiles feature this weekend. 

But it goes beyond that and has spread onto TikTok and other social media platforms. People love their dogs and cats, and Trump created a hilarious opportunity for a relatable meme. If that drives you nuts--and I admit I find it frustrating as a former academic that facts and reason don't break through to the national consciousness while viral memes do--you are too intellectual about American politics. 

I LOVE THE INTERNET!!!🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/6wNGaxLTzL

— il Donaldo Trumpo (@PapiTrumpo) September 10, 2024

Trump's exaggeration was what Scott Adams calls "directionally true." It is not precisely true, but highlights something that really is true in a way that pushes people to look at a problem or phenomenon. Cats may not be on the dinner menu for Haitians in Springfield, but the local geese owned by the city apparently are, and that is not OK. 

Ohio cats are preparing: pic.twitter.com/4zpUTvYN7F

— AlphaFo𝕏 (@Alphafox78) September 12, 2024

Springfield's plight deserves attention, and the elite's indifference to the residents resonates with a lot of people. 

It’s not about the cats or the dogs. It’s about 60,000 Americans being asked to absorb 20,000 illegal immigrants overnight. As usual the left doesn’t care about the crisis, just the optics. pic.twitter.com/6PEPTzEf5o

— Kira (@RealKiraDavis) September 13, 2024

"Yeah, they don't care about US. They only care about migrants" is really true. And if it took a meme about cats and dogs to point that out then I am all for it. Most people honestly don't CARE that Trump was a bit off on his facts (if he was); they care that Kamala Harris, the mainstream media, and the intellectual and cultural class don't care about them. 

NEW: The Haitian pet story is spreading throughout TikTok as creators are dancing to the new 'They're Eating the Cats Remix.'

The creators are dancing to a remix that was made from Trump's comments during the debate.

Some users say the song is the new "Lesbian Anthem" due to… pic.twitter.com/QHyxa3mA4X

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 12, 2024

I got into a Twitter/X spat with a liberal whose basic attitude was simple: White people in Springfield are xenophobes and losers too stupid to succeed, so screw them. 

You and I know that is exactly what leftists think and say often enough. 

“They’re eating the dogs. They’re eating the cats”

remix trend taking over TikTok 🤣 THREAD

Save our furry friends ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PvONxZzcvU

— Madeleine Case Tweets🌐 (@McCannCaseTweet) September 13, 2024

I sincerely hope that Trump holds a rally in Springfield, allowing ordinary citizens who are angry and depressed to have their say and beg for the help they deserve. It would drive liberals nuts and probably get them to make Kinsley Gaffes, where they expose their contempt for ordinary people. 

BREAKING: Trump just announced that he might be going to both Springfield, Ohio, and Aurora, Colorado to bring the nation's attention to the illegal migrant takeover of the cities

Media: "Are you going to visit?"

Trump: "Maybe Springfield, Maybe Aurora, Maybe both."

THAT WOULD… pic.twitter.com/A3kbpFULwF

— George (@BehizyTweets) September 13, 2024

It won't help Trump win Ohio--he has it in the bag--but it will amplify a reality we all know: liberals don't care about anybody but their own class of the "better" people. 

TikTok MDs are now warning Haitians about the diseases they can get from eating dogs / cats pic.twitter.com/sgo8jROeY8

— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) September 12, 2024

The fact that it is memes that drive discourse instead of white papers and civilized discussion may drive intellectuals nuts--at least they claim that it does--doesn't matter a damn to me. Many of these people still push actual hoaxes about Trump, like the "fine people" hoax, so screw them when they claim Trump lies. 

President Trump dominates TikTok! pic.twitter.com/bSZBB3JOmp

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 13, 2024

And to people like me, whose first impulse is the cringe when Trump goes there, maybe we should take a chill pill. The audience for this is not you and me, and the people who are angry about it won't vote for Trump anyway. 

If being "directionally" right and not precisely right moves the ball in the right direction, that's fine with me.