First it was childless cat ladies. Now it's eating cats. How the topic led to 'ALF' memes

Jenny Porter Tilley and Katie Wiseman, Indianapolis Star
Wed, September 11, 2024

Debate surrounding the 2024 presidential election has gone from childless cat ladies to eating cats.

It's led to a rise in memes on social media sites referencing the 1980s television show "ALF," and it probably has some young voters confused about images of a furry puppet trying to make a cat sandwich.

Here's how the national conversation got there.

What did JD Vance say about eating cats?

In a post on X, vice presidential candidate JD Vance said Springfield, Ohio, residents claim Haitian immigrants have abducted and eaten their pets. Officials in Springfield have said there's no evidence of the claim.

What did Trump say about eating cats?

At Tuesday night's debate, Trump referenced the narrative from Vance. Here's what he said in reference to immigration:

"... look at what's happening to the towns all over the United States. And a lot of towns don't want to talk — not going to be Aurora or Springfield. A lot of towns don't want to talk about it because they're so embarrassed by it. 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."

2024 presidential debate: Trump echoes false anti-immigrant rumor during debate

What is 'ALF?'

'ALF,' which featured a furry alien from a planet called Melmac who was regularly trying to eat cats. It aired on NBC from 1986 to 1990 and starred Max Wright, Anne Schedeen, Andrea Elson and Benji Gregory, who died earlier this year. An animated series also ran from 1987-89.

The show's title character was played by Michu Meszaros, a former circus performer who was shorter than 3 feet tall, according to AP reporting. Meszaros died in 2016. He only did the physical acting, however. Show co-creator Paul Fusco voiced the character, according to the IMDB page for 'ALF.'

2024 elections: J.D. Vance once called VP Kamala Harris a 'childless cat lady.' What does that mean?

Where to stream 'ALF'

"ALF" is available to stream for free on Tubi, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, Pluto TV and Sling TV.

What presidential debate viewers posted about 'ALF'

When Trump said he saw that illegal alien were eating cats on TV, most Americans know he feel asleep watching ALF pic.twitter.com/sjFTo96klp

— Yagog not Magog (@helenreddymades) September 11, 2024

USA TODAY reporter KiMi Robinson contributed.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Trump's immigration comments on cat-eating spur 'ALF' memes