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Kelly Rissman
US News Reporter
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have taken part in their first presidential debate of the current US election campaign and numerous celebrities have had their say on the newsworthy event.
The debate, hosted by ABC News, saw Trump spout many inaccurate claims, most notably that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were “eating dogs” and “eating the cats” while pushing his anti-immigration policies.
“What they have done to our country by allowing these millions and millions of people to come into our country and look at what’s happening to the towns all over the United States,” the former president 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,” the former president claimed.
Given Trump’s lack of popularity amongst many high-level American celebrities, it might not be a surprise to learn that many were aghast at his comments and overall performance.
Outspoken Trump critic Bette Midler did not hide her thoughts on the debate, tweeting: “She won. Case closed. Bravo.”
Fellow singer, Dionne Warwick was also less than complimentary of Trump, writing: “Doing all that yelling and lying.”
Avengers star Mark Ruffalo gave a very Hulk-like assessment of Harris and Trump: “Honestly, I was anxious about this debate but what is clear is that Kamala not only has a vision for the future and lifting America up but she is just so much even-tempered and so much smarter than Trump. She crushed him.”
Elsewhere, Star Wars actor Mark Hamill focused on Trump’s bizarre ramblings:
Top Democratic donor Rob Reiner, who called for Joe Biden to step down from the race in July, said: “Tonight we saw the next President of the United States, and her name is Kamala Harris.”
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Elsewhere, Nick Offerman, who recently made a Trump-like president in Civil War, joked that the debate: “was a good old-fashioned a**-whupping.”
On a similar note, Nope actor Keke Palmer had a one-word reaction, writing: “Chewed.”
On Instagram, Jimmy Kimmel shared a meme inspired by the Disney movie Inside Out, allowing the characters from the film to sum up the differing emotions of Trump and Harris.
Perhaps the biggest reaction came from Taylor Swift, who endorsed Harris after the debate.
In a lengthy post on Instagram, she said that having watched Tuesday night’s presidential debate, Harris “fights for the rights and causes I believe.”
“Like many of you, I watched the debate tonight. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to do your research on the issues at hand and the stances these candidates take on the topics that matter to you the most,” she wrote.
“As a voter, I make sure to watch and read everything I can about their proposed policies and plans for this country.
“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election. I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them.
“I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.”
She added: “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make.”
To provide an alternative view, Elon Musk, who has endorsed Trump, told Swift: “Fine Taylor … you win … I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life.”
Parks and Recreation star Aubrey Plaza similarly shared her endorsement of Harris and Tim Walz on Instagram with a photo of her holding a cat.
