Elon Musk shares TikTok video after Trump’s claims about Haitian immigrants eating pets

Elon Musk stirred controversy by sharing a TikTok video of a woman, allegedly of Haitian descent, discussing why Haitians eat cats. This came after former US President Donald Trump made claims during a debate with Kamala Harris, stating that illegal Haitian immigrants in Ohio were consuming pets.

Musk, who has publicly endorsed Trump for the 2024 US presidential elections, shared the video amid media outlets fact-checking Trump’s claims. The woman, identified as Rebekah Faidia on TikTok, elaborated on the reasons behind this, linking it to survival needs and voodoo practices in Haiti.

Voodoo and survival in Haiti

Faidia, recounting her own experience as a first-generation Haitian-American, mentioned that her father had immigrated to the US in the late 1960s. She explained that many Haitians practice voodoo and some eat cats for two main reasons: survival and animal sacrifices. She pointed out Haiti’s extreme poverty and the cultural significance of sacrifices in voodoo, saying that the practice was misunderstood and often exaggerated in the media.

In defense of Trump, she argued that it wasn’t racist to acknowledge the problem and criticized people for dismissing his claims without investigating. She maintained that Trump’s statements were being unfairly ridiculed rather than fact-checked.

Trump’s debate remarks

During his debate with Kamala Harris, Trump claimed that illegal Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating pets. He specifically stated, “In Springfield, they are eating the dogs and the cats,” which led to immediate fact-checking from the moderators, who found no evidence supporting his remarks. Harris criticized Trump for making such extreme and unfounded statements.

Musk’s decision to share the TikTok video further fueled debate, drawing both support and criticism as people reacted to the ongoing controversy.