In the latest controversy to hit the contentious 2024 presidential race, Donald Trump's VP running mate JD Vance has taken aim at the Biden administration over the euthanasia of an Instagram-famous squirrel named Peanut.
Elon Musk and other high-profile Trump supporters had already slammed Democrats for the squirrel's death earlier this week. Vance echoed those sentiments while campaigning in North Carolina yesterday (Sunday), saying the former president was "fired up" about Peanut's fate.
Peanut, rescued by animal sanctuary owner Mark Longo after its mother was hit by a car, had amassed a massive 540,000 followers on Instagram through viral videos of the squirrel nibbling waffles, wearing tiny hats, and jumping through hoops.
However, on October 30th, Longo's home was raided by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which seized both Peanut and another rescued animal, Fred the Raccoon. Authorities then euthanized both creatures, citing "unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies."
Vance called the incident the "craziest thing," arguing that the Biden administration doesn't care about illegal immigrants but also doesn't want people to have pets. Vance launched a GoFundMe page that has already raised $140,000 for Longo's animal sanctuary.
Other Republicans, including New York Congressman Nick Langworthy, have also condemned the "unannounced raid," noting that the state has sanctuaries for illegal immigrants but not "innocent pets."
This latest controversy comes on the heels of Trump stirring up outrage last month over allegations that Haitian immigrants in the U.S. were eating cats.
With the election just ONE DAY AWAY, the debate over Peanut's fate looks set to become the latest flashpoint in the heated contest between Trump and Biden.
'The Week' Magazine contributed to this article.