 "Kristi Noem made a startling claim that during a deportation flight, a detainee described as a \"cannibal\" had begun eating himself mid-air. Reuters/File Photo")
While visiting Florida’s new immigrant detention facility, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz”, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made a startling claim.
She said that during a deportation flight, a detainee described as a “cannibal” had begun eating himself mid-air. According to Noem, the man injured himself so badly that US Marshals had to take him off the flight and rush him for medical care.
The bizarre claim was shared by Noem as part of a larger push to support the Trump administration’s tough stance on immigration.
So, is this incident even true or just a narrative to fit into Donald Trump ’s messaging? Here’s what we know so far
What did Kristi Noem claim?
Noem was visiting Florida for a roundtable with President Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to discuss the new immigration detention centre in the state.
At a press conference following the visit to the makeshift facility , the 53-year-old Noem narrated one incident involving a “deranged” immigrant.
“They had detained a cannibal and put him on a plane to take him home, and while [he was] in his seat, he started to eat himself, and they had to get him off and get him medical attention,” she said.
She used the story to emphasise her point: “These are the kind of deranged individuals that are on our streets in America that we’re trying to target and get out of our country…They don’t belong here,” Noem added.
“No one wants someone like that walking the streets with our children… Our families just want to grow up, raise their kids, get a job and live the American dream,” she continued.
So far, there is no evidence that backs Noem’s anecdote. Neither the DHS nor the ICE has responded and verified the alleged immigrant’s name, location or country of origin.
President Biden allowed ‘worst of the worst’ to US: Noem
Noem spoke about ongoing enforcement efforts that target migrants who refuse “self-deportation” or commit crimes. “We’re going after murderers and rapists and traffickers and drug dealers and getting them off the streets and getting them out of this country,” she said.
She specifically blamed the previous administration, accusing former President Biden of allowing “the worst of the worst” into the US.
Since Biden took office, the number of people held in federal immigration detention has surged, from about 39,000 during the Trump era to approximately 56,000 by mid-June, according to Reuters, citing government data.
The new immigrant detention facility, which Noem visited in Florida, was constructed in just over a week, perched 65 km west of Miami. Surrounded by swamps full of alligators and pythons, the camp has been labelled “Alligator Alcatraz”.
Florida Governor DeSantis announced that the first group of detainees would arrive this week. The centre is ultimately expected to house up to 5,000 people, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Trump’s obsession with cannibal charector Hannible Lecter
Kristi Noem’s bizarre mention of a so-called “cannibal” on a deportation flight immediately brought to mind Donald Trump’s unusual fascination with Hannibal Lecter—the fictional serial killer from The Silence of the Lambs.
Lecter, originally introduced in Thomas Harris’ 1981 novel Red Dragon, rose to cultural icon status after Sir Anthony Hopkins’ chilling portrayal in the 1991 film adaptation. But Trump’s repeated references to the character have puzzled many, especially given the political context in which he invokes him.
Back in May 2024, at a rally in New Jersey, Trump called Lecter a “wonderful man.” He brought him up again at a July rally in North Carolina, claiming that his mentions were “real stories.”
At last year’s Republican National Convention, Trump used the character once more while criticising President Biden’s immigration policies.
“Has anyone seen The Silence of the Lambs? The late, great Hannibal Lecter. He’d love to have you for dinner,” Trump said, before accusing other nations of “emptying out their insane asylums” and sending their worst citizens to the United States.
According to media reports, even Anthony Hopkins, who famously portrayed Lecter, was reportedly disturbed by Trump’s fixation on the character.
With input from agencies