Campaign

Biden campaign sells out ‘truth over flies’ swatter after fly lands on Pence during debate

by Morgan Gstalter - 10/08/20 8:56 AM ET

The Biden campaign quickly sold out of a “Truth Over Flies” fly swatter it was offering inspired by a viral moment from Wednesday’s vice presidential debate.

During the event in Utah on Wednesday night, a fly landed on Vice President Pence as he debated against Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).

The Biden campaign quickly offered for $10 through its website a blue fly swatter, saying it “swats away flies and lies.”

As of Thursday morning, Biden’s online store sold out the stock of nearly 35,000 fly swatters, according to the campaign.

“We saw the internet and our supporters sharing a viral moment online, so our digital team came together on the fly to show that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will always choose truth over lies, science over fiction, and unity over division,” Biden’s merchandise director Zach McNamara told The Hill in a statement.

Swats away flies and lies. Get yours today: https://t.co/ehsECKfDPO pic.twitter.com/oVLHHmq85c

— Team Joe (Text JOE to 30330) (@TeamJoe) October 7, 2020

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden also poked fun at the moment, sharing an image of him holding a fly swatter and asking supporters to donate money to help his “campaign fly.”

Pitch in $5 to help this campaign fly. https://t.co/CqHAId0j8t pic.twitter.com/NbkPl0a8HV

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 7, 2020

The Democratic presidential campaign also moved to capitalize on the viral moment, purchasing the website domain for “flywillvote.com,” which reroutes users to the Democratic National Committee’s “I Will Vote” registration website.

https://t.co/TtWm3i4eaq.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 7, 2020

Twitter users cheered on the campaign’s rapid-response reaction to the moment.

The #VPDebate just ended and you can buy a “Truth Over Flies Fly Swatter” from the Biden website pic.twitter.com/AeJR5UVBkf

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) October 7, 2020

Kris Jenner works hard but the Biden digital team works harder https://t.co/JoPJ3AtcZB

— Lily Herman (@lkherman) October 7, 2020

The fly made a surprise appearance on top of Pence’s head while he was answering a question about racism. The moment, which appeared to last for longer than a minute before the insect departed, quickly began a buzz on Twitter.