Repeatedly invoked the fictional cannibal Hannibal Lecter as 'representative' of people entering the U.S.

“When I mentioned Dr. Hannibal Lecter, I'm using that as an example of people that are coming in from "Silence of the Lambs," I use it.”

Said: September 17, 2024, Town hall, Flint, Michigan
Subject: Migrants
Target: Immigrants
Topic: Immigration
Era: 2024 campaign

What happened

Trump tied the 'Silence of the Lambs' character to his claims about 'insane asylums' starting in October 2023 (Waterloo, Iowa, October 7, 2023). He made it a running line in 2024. In Mosinee, Wisconsin, on September 7, 2024, he said Lecter is 'a representative of people that are coming into our country.' After the election he credited the line with winning votes, saying on March 26, 2025, 'We got a lot of votes because of Hannibal Lecter.'

Sources

Interview: Donald Trump Holds a Town Hall Q&A Session in Flint, Michigan - September 17, 2024 Roll Call Factba.se, Sep 17, 2024
Speech: Donald Trump Holds a Campaign Rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin - September 7, 2024 Roll Call Factba.se, Sep 7, 2024
Remarks: Donald Trump Attends a Women's History Month Event at The White House - March 26, 2025 Roll Call Factba.se, Mar 26, 2025