How Trump's pet-eating conspiracies unraveled his campaign

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Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026

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The harsh truth about Trump's pet-eating conspiracy theory

By Alicia Menendez and Evan Brechtel

This week's debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump gave Americans the starkest split-screen so far of the two wildly different people vying to lead their government.

 

While Harris focused on specific policy proposals rooted in verifiable numbers and hands-on experience, Trump, who usually relies on applause and lazy superlatives to sell his so-called vision to supporters, was clearly out of his depth. 

 

So he did what many small men with large egos do: He picked an imaginary enemy to attack, a bogeyman he’s been constructing since the first moments he officially got into politics in 2015 — immigrants.

 

This is a preview of Alicia Menendez and Evan Brechtel's latest article. Read the full column here. For more thought-provoking insights from Michael Steele, Alicia Menendez and Symone Sanders-Townsend, watch "The Weekend" every Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. ET on MSNBC.

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HAYES BROWN

JD Vance would break the law for Donald Trump. We know because he told us.

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This one line from the Trump-Harris debate offered a brutal reminder to American women

Trump's routine sexism came back to bite him during the debate. Read more.

STEVE BENEN

Both parties target Trump for palling around with Laura Loomer

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JARVIS DEBERRY

Frankie Beverly sparked an undeniable joy in Black America while remaining unknown by many

For every happy feeling, there's a Frankie Beverly and Maze song. Read more.

 
 

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DEADLINE WHITE HOUSE

'He Kristi Noem'd his campaign': Nicolle on how Trump's cats and dogs lies have unraveled his campaign

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11TH HOUR

'It's all about scaring people': Tim Ryan talks conspiracy theories in the presidential debate

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MORE FROM MSNBC

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Next Friday at 8 p.m. ET, catch a special edition of The Rachel Maddow Show. Then, at 9 p.m. ET, MSNBC Films presents "From Russia with Lev," executive produced by Rachel herself and directed by Billy Corben. Featuring former Trump insider Lev Parnas, the documentary pulls back the curtain on the Ukraine scheme that got the former president impeached the first time.

 

Tomorrow, watch "MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024," a special two-hour presentation of our premiere fan event. Tune in for compelling conversations with Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid, Lawrence O'Donnell, Jen Psaki and more about this historic election, and behind-the-scenes stories and insights from your favorite hosts. Watch "MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024" tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET on MSNBC and streaming on Peacock.

 

 

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