A controversial claim made by Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance about Haitian immigrants eating domestic pets in Springfield, Ohio, has been debunked by local officials. The claim, which lacks credible evidence, has been widely circulated on social media.
On Monday, Vance posted on X (formerly Twitter) alleging that Haitian immigrants were creating chaos in Springfield and that pets had been abducted and eaten. He criticized the Biden administration’s handling of immigration, referring to Vice-President Kamala Harris as the “border czar.
As of Tuesday, Vance’s post has garnered over 9 million views on X. In response, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby denounced Vance’s comments as “dangerous” and rooted in “racism.”
Origins of the Claim
The unfounded story appears to have emerged from various sources and was amplified by pro-Trump social media accounts. On August 27, during a Springfield city commission meeting, a local resident and social media influencer made several accusations against Haitian immigrants. He claimed they were slaughtering park ducks and alleged that city officials were bribed to bring immigrants to Springfield, though no evidence was presented.
Another source of the claim was a Facebook post mentioning a cat killed by Haitian immigrants, based on second-hand information. This was further spread by a photo on Reddit of a man with a dead goose in Columbus, Ohio.
Additionally, a separate news report from late August about a woman in Canton, Ohio, who was arrested for killing and eating a cat, was misattributed to Haitian immigrants by some right-wing commentators. However, the incident occurred about 2.5 hours away from Springfield, and the report did not specify the woman’s nationality. Canton Police confirmed they had received no complaints involving Haitian immigrants.
Social Media Amplification
In addition to Vance’s statements, Elon Musk and other conservative figures have shared memes related to the claims, which have also been viewed millions of times. The Republican House Judiciary Committee’s X account posted an AI-generated image of former President Trump with a duck and a cat, urging protection for pets in Ohio. This post was seen nearly 70 million times.
The BBC contacted Springfield City Commission, and officials stated there have been “no credible reports” of pets being harmed by immigrants. On Tuesday, Vance appeared to distance himself from the earlier claim, suggesting that the rumors might be false.
The BBC has reached out to the Trump campaign for further comment.
Context on Haitian Immigrants in Springfield
Springfield, Ohio, with a population of about 60,000, has seen an influx of immigrants in recent years, many from Haiti. This has contributed to a population increase in the city, reversing a decades-long decline. The new arrivals have revitalized local industries but have also put pressure on public services. Vance, a senator from Ohio, has frequently discussed Springfield during his campaign.