HARTFORD, Conn. — Yale University has published its compilation of the most significant quotes for 2024, reflecting a wide range of topics encompassing politics, entertainment, societal issues, and sports, while also touching upon recent protests pertaining to the Gaza conflict.
Leading the list is pop icon Taylor Swift, who humorously dubbed herself “Taylor Swift Childless Cat Lady” in an Instagram post from September, while endorsing Democrat Kamala Harris for the presidency. This phrase alludes to remarks made by JD Vance, the Republican vice president-elect, three years ago. Vance characterized Democrats as being influenced by “childless cat ladies” who lead unsatisfactory lives and seek to mirror their discontent onto the rest of the nation.
Following Swift are President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump, who secured the second and third spots, respectively. Biden received recognition for his December announcement regarding the pardon for his son, Hunter. Trump’s controversial quote during a debate in September—claiming, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in. They’re eating the cats”—echoed discredited conspiracy theories alleging that Haitian immigrants were involved in such bizarre acts, which he has propagated throughout his political campaigns. Trump’s comments surrounding this topic further intensified the existing anti-immigrant discourse.
The list also includes another troubling quote from Trump, “Fight! Fight! Fight!” made in response to an assassination attempt he faced in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Curated annually by Fred Shapiro, an associate director at the Yale Law Library, this quotable list accompanies The New Yale Book of Quotations, which he also edits, releasing under Yale University Press. Shapiro emphasizes that the purpose of this collection is not to highlight eloquent or admirable quotes but to present words that resonate due to their significance or impact on contemporary society.
Here are the top quotations from the list:
1. “Taylor Swift Childless Cat Lady” — Taylor Swift, signing off on an Instagram post, Sept. 10, 2024.
2. “Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter.” — President Joe Biden, official statement, Dec. 1, 2024.
3. “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in. They’re eating the cats.” — President-elect Donald Trump, presidential debate, Sept. 10, 2024, reiterating a previously debunked rumor about Haitian immigrants in Ohio.
4. “I’ve become friends with school shooters.” — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, mistakenly citing an engagement during the vice presidential debate on Oct. 1, 2024, when referring to his connections with survivors of school shootings.
5. “Fight! Fight! Fight!” — Trump post-assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
6. “Yes they can control the weather.” — Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, making a statement on X on Oct. 2, 2024, supporting a theory suggesting that the government utilizes weather manipulation technology.
7. “Some of you (women) may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.” — Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker during a commencement speech at Benedictine College, Atchison, Kansas, on May 11, 2024.
8. “Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard’s rules on bullying and harassment?” — New York U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik at a House of Representatives hearing on Dec. 5, 2023, questioning how Harvard addresses antisemitism on campus.
9. “OMG.” — New York Mets player José Iglesias, title of a song released in 2024.
10. “The court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist.” — U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, D.C., announcing a ruling on Aug. 5, 2024, during an antitrust case initiated by the U.S. Justice Department against Google.