Gaffigan Jokes Trump’s Haitian ‘Cats’ Lie Is Second ‘Catching a Kitten’ Election Scandal

On Thursday’s Al Smith Dinner, comedian Jim Gaffigan took aim at Donald Trump’s debunked slur about Haitian immigrants in Ohio eating local pets.

He joked to the crowd that Trump’s widely shared statement that immigrants were “eating cats” was “the second time taking a cat has been part of a campaign issue.”

Gaffigan’s joke was a reference to the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape in which Trump bragged to Billy Bush about sexually assaulting models, saying he could “take them by the dog” without consequence.

Politicians, socialites and Catholic leaders present at the dinner did not take well to the joke, but their groans were not as dismissive as the former First Lady’s reaction. Melania Trump sat with a grim expression as Gaffigan noted that she was “going to leave it out.” Former President Trump, on the other hand, seemed to laugh at the low blow.

It’s not the first time Gaffigan has run afoul of Donald Trump. In a 2020 rant, the comedian called the former president a “fascist” with “no belief in the law.”

“Look Trumpers, I get it. I was a Cubs fan growing up and I know you stick with your team no matter what, but he’s a traitor and a con man who doesn’t care,” Gaffigan wrote. “Deep down you know. I’m sure you like to piss people off, but you know Trump is a liar and a criminal.”