South African musician David Scott, known professionally as The Kiffness, has released a viral parody song titled “Eating the Cats” in response to Donald Trump’s controversial remarks during a recent presidential debate with Kamala Harris. The song, which incorporates Trump’s claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were “eating the dogs” and “eating the cats” of local residents, has gained significant traction on social media platforms.
During the presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump made an unsubstantiated statement, saying, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there”.
This remark was quickly fact-checked by debate moderators, who stated there was no evidence to support the claim. The Kiffness, known for creating catchy tunes from internet moments, transformed Trump’s statement into a funky track. The song begins with Trump’s audio clip and then incorporates Scott’s lyrics suggesting alternative food options. For example, one verse goes: “People of Springfield, please don’t eat my cat/ why would you do that/ eat something else”.
The 1-minute 48-second track was released on September 12, 2024, and quickly spread across various platforms. As of the latest reports: The song has garnered over 13.5 million plays on Instagram, 12.1 million plays on TikTok, and over 1.5 million YouTube views within one 1day.
The Kiffness also shared that the streaming revenue from the song will be donated to animal welfare organizations. Specifically, proceeds will go to the Clark County SPCA to help stray animals in Springfield, Ohio.
Scott clarified his non-partisan stance in the song’s YouTube description: “As a South African, I am non-partisan in my support for either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump in the US elections. I just thought the clip of Trump was funny and I wanted to make it into a song that could make a difference in the lives of animals. Whatever your political offiliation, dogs & cats unite us!”
Background of the Controversy
Trump’s statement, made during a segment on immigration in the presidential debate, was promptly fact-checked and debunked. Local authorities in Springfield found no substantiated evidence or credible reports of harm to pets by Haitian residents. Springfield Mayor Rob Rue reiterated that there have been no verified cases of immigrants consuming pets.
About The Kiffness
David Scott, aka The Kiffness, is a South African musician known for collaborating with interesting people and animals worldwide. Scott founded his project in 2011, which gained internet prominence in 2020. He has since created viral remixes and parodies of internet moments.
