The presidential debate Tuesday had a hinge moment when Vice President Kamala Harris knocked former President Donald Trump completely off his game by mocking the campaign rallies that serve as the primary fuel for his gargantuan yet brittle ego.

Trump's reaction is instructive to the worldview of his reelection campaign and his allies. He swiftly deflected to the latest viral nonsense from the social media fever swamp – this time, that immigrants are abducting and eating pets in Springfield, Ohio – in a frenzied, failing bid to regain control of the conversation.

It didn't matter that the claim had been debunked. Trump thrives on division, and he needed that right then and there as his control of the debate slipped away. He hopes to hoodwink America into thinking that just stepping outside – or, in this case, taking your dog for a walk – is always a dangerous proposition.

Harris could only laugh at him with a "talk about extreme" shrug. That's the worst kind of failure for Trump, but it's not the only kind. He no longer seems able to tell the difference between social media and the real world.

His allies, like running mate JD Vance, have no choice but to go along. That left Sen. Vance of Ohio looking the fool Tuesday as well as he tried in vain to both-sides the bogus claim about Springfield's pets.

Springfield, a town of about 59,000 people about 40 miles west of Columbus, has seen an influx of 15,000 Haitian immigrants since 2020. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican who on Tuesday sent law enforcement support to help with traffic issues and health care resources, said the newcomers are generally hardworking.

The bogus claims about local pets got its viral start........

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