The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →After Donald Trump made an unsupported claim about immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, during the September 10, 2024 presidential debate, several celebrities reacted. The examples below are documented responses, not a complete list of everyone who commented. Taylor Swift’s post that night was a related endorsement of Kamala Harris, not a verified direct response to the allegation.
What Trump said—and what Springfield police reported
During the September 10, 2024 debate with Kamala Harris, Trump said of Springfield, Ohio: “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats.” Roll Call reported the remark and quoted the Springfield Police Division saying “there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.” The allegation was unsupported; the police statement is not evidence that it happened.
Notable celebrity reactions
A contemporaneous TV Insider roundup identified reactions from Hank Azaria, Mark Hamill, Jerry O’Connell, Dionne Warwick and Flavor Flav. Their responses differed in timing and tone.
Jerry O’Connell: a joke about his dogs at home
On September 11, actor Jerry O’Connell posted a photo of himself with his dogs and wrote, “‘They’re eating the dogs’ Us at home…” The post used a domestic snapshot to make light of the claim’s absurdity.
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Dionne Warwick: criticism of the debate performance
Also on September 11, singer Dionne Warwick posted: “Doing all that yelling and lying.” Her short comment criticized the broader debate performance rather than spelling out a separate argument about the Springfield allegation.
Flavor Flav: a music-world punchline
Musician Flavor Flav joked on September 11: “Pet Shop Boys better stay inside and lock the doors. You too Snoop Dogg. And Pitbull.” The post turned the pet claim into a reference to performers’ names.
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Mark Hamill: a later joke about geese
Actor Mark Hamill posted on September 13: “For those of you with no interest in eating cats or dogs, geese have now been added to the menu.” This was a joke about a subsequent claim involving geese, not a comment made during the debate itself. TV Insider’s roundup reproduced the post.
Hank Azaria: reported among the reactors
TV Insider also reported that actor Hank Azaria reacted to the Springfield claims. The available account does not provide enough detail to reliably describe his full remarks, so no quotation or more specific characterization is included here.
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Taylor Swift’s post was related, but not a direct rebuttal
After the debate on September 10, singer-songwriter Taylor Swift endorsed Harris. Swift signed her post “Taylor Swift Childless Cat Lady,” reclaiming a phrase used in the political debate. TIME reported the endorsement; the Associated Press later noted the signature among Yale’s notable quotations for 2024. That record documents the wording, but the signature should not be presented as a verified direct comment on the Springfield pet allegation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to read this roundup
These examples show several kinds of public response: criticism, jokes directed at the claim or related controversy, and a political endorsement made after the debate. They are notable documented cases, not a complete census of celebrity reactions.
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