This weekend, Donald Trump went on a bizarre tangent about fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter as he attempted to demonize undocumented immigrants.
The former president claimed that other countries were “emptying” their prisons and psychiatric facilities and sending those people across the border.
Then he turned around.
“‘Silence of the Lamb!'” he said Saturday at a rally in New Jersey. “Has anyone seen ‘The Silence of the Lambs’?”
He was referring to the 1991 horror film, based on the novel of the same name, about fictional serial killer/cannibal Hannibal Lecter, a role that earned Anthony Hopkins an Oscar.
“The late Hannibal Lecter is a wonderful man. He often had a friend over for dinner,” Trump said, adding:
“Do you remember the last scene? “Excuse me, I’m about to have a friend over for dinner” as this poor doctor walked by. “I’m about to have a friend over for dinner.” But Hannibal Lecter. Congratulations! The late Hannibal Lecter. We have people being released into our country that we don’t want in our country, and they’re coming in without any checks, without any checks, and we can’t let that happen. They are destroying our country.
Trump has sometimes name-checked Hannibal Lecter at his rallies, though his latest rambling appearance — which included a reference to “President Jimmy Connors” (Carter); attacks on wind turbines and electric cars; and an appearance by registered sex offender and football great Lawrence Taylor, who has given his support to Trump – fueled his criticism on social media:
We wish the late Hannibal Lecter a Happy Mother’s Day!
– Jared Moskowitz (@JaredEMoskowitz) May 12, 2024
Sometimes I sit back and marvel that so much of this cultural chaos is due to this man. This is the guy the GOP thought deserved to be accommodated, praised, worshiped, obeyed. https://t.co/N92yRk9xjg
– Nancy French (@NancyAFrench) May 12, 2024
.@realDonaldTrump you know the “late, great” and “wonderful” (seriously?!?) Hannibal Lecter was a cannibalistic serial killer, right? But more importantly, IT’S NOT REAL. 🤦🏽♂️
This is what MAGA Republicans want for president: a man who idolizes an imaginary serial killer. https://t.co/huAqW3LsRt-Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) May 12, 2024
At what other time in American history could a presidential candidate praise a fictional serial killer and inspire virtually no reaction? https://t.co/rlnaFzPlWx
-Anne Applebaum (@anneapplebaum) May 12, 2024
A lot of people like to trash President Connors, but I will say this about Jimmy: he would never have invited Hannibal Lecter to dinner at his golf club. As his vice-president Walter McEnroe would have said, you can’t be serious. https://t.co/LQ2Xc6Fl0R
-George Conway (@gtconway3d) May 12, 2024
Donald Trump and Hannibal Lecter have one thing in common: they both like quid pro quo.
I’m surprised Trump doesn’t serve beans and a nice Chianti at all his rallies.🙄 pic.twitter.com/qgAPRXly9x– UrbanistaRamon (@UrbanistaRamon) May 12, 2024
Oh my dear God. This man is running for president of the United States.
And we allow it.
I have no idea how to explain this to future generations. https://t.co/mQLt22qUAD
— Rick☆™ (@RickChapterTwo) May 12, 2024
If President Biden spent a lot of time praising Hannibal Lecter during the same speech in which he confused Jimmy Connors with President Jimmy Carter, the press would STILL be talking about it.
Remember, none of these crazy fire hoses are normal.
– BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) May 13, 2024
Trump benefits greatly from the media treating his speeches like glorified wrestling promos, because if Joe Biden dropped this hodgepodge of word salad incoherence, the New York Times would paper its front page with stories according to which he would be in the early stages of dementia. https://t.co/OiMmlJpoJC
– scary lawyer (@scarylawyerguy) May 12, 2024
yahoo
