BORDER COLLIES
Donald Trump gets heated as he doubles down on claim immigrants are eating pet cats and dogs despite officials’ denial
Harris laughed and shook her head as Trump went on an immigration rant
DONALD Trump has sparked outrage by repeating bizarre conspiracy theories during the presidential debate about immigrants eating cats and dogs in America.
The former president, 78, strangely addressed online conspiracies about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, after being asked about border security.
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"In Springfield, they're eating the dogs, the people that came in," Trump said of the immigration population that has migrated to the United States during the Biden administration.
"They're eating the cats. They're eating the pets of the people that live there," he added as Kamala Harris laughed and shook her head.
As Trump continued his rant, Harris, whose mic was off, appeared to mouth, "What?"
David Muir, one of the ABC moderators, quickly fact-checked Trump, saying the city manager in Springfield determined there were "no credible reports" of pets being harmed by migrants in the city.
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When Harris' mic turned back on, she chuckled and said, "Talk about extreme."
The conspiracy has generated millions of views on X after a Springfield local posted on social media that his neighbor's daughter's friend lost her cat and later found it hanging from a branch near a Haitian neighbor's home.
The post suggested the cat was hanging from the tree to be butchered and eaten.
A photo showing a Black man carrying what appeared to be a goose's carcass by its feet was also shared with the post.
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Springfield Mayor Bob Rue debunked the claims on Tuesday, saying the city has not found any evidence of the online rumors.
"Rumors like these are taking away from the real issues such as housing concerns, resources needed for our schools and our overwhelmed health care system," Rue said at a meeting of the city commission.
Trump forced to share awkward handshake and tells Harris to ‘have fun’ after she walks over to his podium
'I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE'
Some Trump supporters were taken aback after the Republican presidential candidate repeated the wild conspiracy during Tuesday's debate.
"I voted for Donald Trump twice but now that his campaign has chosen to stigmatize the consumption of dog meat, I’m out. I can’t do this anymore," one supporter said on X.
A second wrote, "I’m sorry, I don’t know how you watch this and still say you’re for Donald Trump."
"Did I just hear Donald Trump say that he thinks immigrants are stealing peoples cats and dogs to eat," another said.
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Debate night highlights...
- Donald Trump and Kamala Harris engaged in a fiery debate where, at times, the former president seemed enraged and frustrated.
- Vice President Harris tried to get under Trump's skin by bringing up his ties to Project 2025, his criminal conviction in New York, his rally crowd sizes, and the various indictments he's facing.
- Trump went off script when he repeated wild conspiracies about immigrants eating dogs and cats in Springfield, Ohio.
- "They're eating the cats. They're eating the pets of the people that live there," Trump said as Harris laughed and shook her head.
- In one instance, Trump seemingly threw his running mate, JD Vance, under the bus and blamed him for miscommunication about his stance on a national abortion ban.
- Despite his subpar moments, Trump dubbed his performance "his best debate ever."
- A Harris spokesperson called for a second debate in October.
However, the outrageous conspiracy was not only repeated by Trump.
Several top Republicans posted about the claim on social media.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz posted a meme on X showing two cats holding each other, with the text, "Please vote for Trump so Haitian immigrants don't eat us."
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has supported Trump's campaign, reposted the same meme.
HARRY COLE: Both landed blows - but race is still too close to call
By HARRY COLE, Political Editor
AFTER a slow start from both candidates, it was only once Harris began prodding and poking at the size of Trump's rallies, that he went on the attack. Jibes about issues that hit close to home, such as his wealth, his inheritance from his father, and his businesses that the old Don of 2016 came out of his shell.
Trumpy was clearly angry. He got more orange. He got more aggressive. He hit out over taxes, illegal migrants, and eating cats and dogs.
This debate was about two camps talking mainly to their bases. As elections are largely decided on who can get their supporters out to vote, this decision to address mostly those who have already made their minds up made sense.
Harris had some particularly strong moments on abortion and healthcare - issues she already has a lead on over Trump. But she was much weaker on the economy - an area her opponent will look to bash her on.
For someone who's been in power for four years as Vice President to not be able to defend the record is a major weakness for Harris.
She dodged questions on inflation and cost of living before Trump really went on the attack.
He tried to link everything back to immigration and fracking - two of the biggest issues for the former President.
In key swing states that Trump needs to win, such as Pennsylvania, fracking is a big issue, and Kamala Harris' record on that is dubious at best.
She's saying the right things now but there wasn't a real knockout blow on either side, the bar was lower for Harris.
Biden's VP needed to prove that she could handle the debate with no notes, no scripts, and no soundbite moments - without a prompt or soft-soap interviewer to help her.
Throughout the campaign, Harris has been kept on a very tight leash, restricting her media appearances as much as possible.
Frankly, she cleared that low bar.
On the money markets, Trump started out ahead of Harris on the Betfair exchange, but by the end, his Democratic challenger had a slight edge.
November's election is still on a knife edge but Harris is gaining on Trump in the betting markets.
Trump had a very strong closing statement, hitting all his key points on immigration, Biden, the economy, and national security. But this thrilling race is still too close to call.
Watch The Sun's full debate coverage on Never Mind The Ballots.
FIERY DEBATE
During the 90-minute debate, Trump and Harris engaged in a fiery debate where, at times, the former president seemed irritated and frustrated with his opponent's remarks.
While Trump was trying to claim Harris supports defending the police, the vice president was overheard saying, "Not true," despite her microphone being off.
Trump was seemingly bothered by her comment, lashing out, "I'm talking now. If you don't mind. Please. Does that sound familiar?"
Harris tried to get under Trump's skin by bringing up Project 2025, an expansive policy blueprint drafted by former allies in Trump's first term as president, and his criminal indictments.
Allan Lichtman's 2024 presidential election prediction
Renowned historian Allan Lichtman has accurately predicted the outcomes of presidential elections since 1984 using his 13 Keys to the White House algorithm. The scholar has revealed who he thinks will be inaugurated as the 47th president in January next year based on his system of true and false statements.
If six or more statements go against the White House party, they are projected to lose the presidential election.
Midterm elections: The Democrats suffered losses in the 2022 House elections, meaning the key turns false. (Harris 0-1 Trump)
There is no primary contest: This key turns in favor of Harris because the Democrats got "smart" and rallied behind the vice president after Joe Biden ended his campaign, according to Lichtman. (Harris 1-1 Trump)
The sitting president is seeking another term: This turns false because Biden suspended his re-election campaign. (Harris 1-2 Trump)
There is no third-party challenger: This statement is true because third-party candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. needed to poll at 10% nationally, according to Lichtman. (Harris 2-2 Trump)
The short-term economy is strong: This key goes in favor of the White House Party. (Harris 3-2 Trump)
The long-term economic growth has been as good as the last two terms: This key also swings toward Harris. (Harris 4-2 Trump)
The White House Party has made major national policy changes: This key is also true, according to Lichtman's theory. (Harris 5-2 Trump)
There is sustained social unrest during the term: College campus demonstrations have erupted in reaction to the Gaza conflict, but no protests have broken out that threaten the fabric of society. This means the key goes in Harris' column. (Harris 6-2 Trump)
The White House is untainted by scandal: Despite House Republican efforts to impeach Joe Biden, they have been unable to pin a scandal on him. (Harris 7-2 Trump)
The incumbent is charismatic: Harris is not considered a Ronald Reagan or Franklin D. Roosevelt-like figure so the key is false. (Harris 7-3 Trump)
The challenger is uncharismatic: This key goes in favor of the White House party - even though Trump is a showman. (Harris 8-3 Trump)
Lichtman warned that the two foreign policy keys - whether there has been a major success or no failure - could flip either way.
But, even if both statements flipped against Harris, Trump would not have enough keys in his column to win the election.
Trump again denied his involvement in Project 2025, saying, "Everyone knows I'm an open book."
The candidates also sparred over abortion, the border, the Israel-Hamas War, and several other topics.
Afterward, Trump went on Truth Social to share his thoughts on his performance.
"I thought that was my best Debate, EVER, especially since it was THREE ON ONE!" the former president wrote.
Many of his supporters were quick to echo that sentiment.
Trump ally David Bossie told The Wall Street Journal: "It was a three-on-one debate, let's be honest."
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"The ABC moderators were not journalists, they were pro-Kamala activists who baselessly attacked President Trump leading to a 3 on 1 debate, while allowing Kamala to lie repeatedly," New York Representative Elise Stefanik said.
"President Trump won overwhelmingly and will win again on Election Day."
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