It’s US election season, and between the serious politics and policies, Donald Trump has become the subject of Gen Z’s TikTok memes.
During the presidential debate between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10, Trump raised false claims about Haitian immigrants allegedly eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. He stated, “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.”
The outlandish claim immediately went viral, setting off a ripple effect of memes and reactions across social media. The inaccuracy of Trump’s statement caused Gen Z to run with it, transforming the moment into a humour-led TikTok trend.
There is often no rhyme or reason behind what Gen Z will meme-ify. But with so many creative outlets for this crazy concept, digital creators immediately started creating parody songs, reaction memes, and even AI-generated images around Trump’s remark.
One viral parody song, “Eating the Cats” by South African band The Kiffness incorporated Trump’s statement set to a reggaeton beat, enhanced with auto-tuned meows and woofs. This now has almost 11 million views on X.
Others took to sharing their dog's reactions to the somewhat “terrifying” allegations.
These videos show that there are no boundaries when it comes to creating out-of-the-box content on TikTok. The more niche, the more attention you will gain.
As a brand marketer, keeping up with trends driven by Gen Z requires being hot on cultural moments. Memes, humor, and agility are crucial as this audience demands a fast-paced response to cultural moments. You must be ready to react quickly, or you risk missing out on the viral wave that could help drive visibility and engagement.
However, while viral trends like this make politics feel more accessible and relatable, it's important to note that elections are still serious and pivotal events. Ensuring accurate education about political figures remains a priority, and there are some great example of brands and business leaders becoming a part of electoral conversations. For example, over 125 business leaders signed the Federal Candidate Pledge to Respect Elections which was organized by the bipartisan Leadership Now Project, urging candidates to uphold democratic principles, such as free and fair elections.
Still, viral and meme-worthy moments like these, including Kamala Harris’ adoption of the BRAT trend, demonstrate how humor can help break down barriers and make political discourse feel more approachable. The blend of serious topics with amusing viral content shows how digital culture navigates between the two, shaping public perception, particularly amongst Gen Z.
