During a recent presidential debate, Donald Trump repeated a shocking and unsubstantiated claim: that Haitian immigrants are eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. This accusation, which quickly spread across social media, alleges that newcomers are consuming dogs and cats belonging to local residents. But what’s the truth behind these alarming statements, and where did this rumor even begin? This article delves into the facts to debunk this claim and explore its origins.
The assertion, made during an ABC presidential debate, quoted Trump saying, “In Springfield, they are eating the dogs. The people that came in, they are eating the cats. They’re eating – they are eating the pets of the people that live there.” However, Springfield city officials have explicitly refuted these claims, stating to BBC Verify that there have been “no credible reports” of such incidents.
Alt text: Donald Trump speaking at a podium, repeating the unfounded claim about immigrants eating pets.
The baseless rumor gained traction online, amplified by figures like Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance, who promoted it on X (formerly Twitter). His post garnered over 11 million views, highlighting the rapid spread of misinformation on social media platforms. John Kirby, US National Security Council spokesman, condemned Vance’s comments as “dangerous” and labeled the claim a “conspiracy theory… based on an element of racism,” pointing to the harmful nature of such unfounded accusations.
So, where did this bizarre claim originate? It appears to be a concoction pieced together from various sources and amplified by pro-Trump social media accounts. A key source seems to be a Springfield city commission meeting on August 27th. During this meeting, a local resident, identifying himself as a social media influencer, delivered a speech critical of Haitian immigrants. He presented a list of grievances, including the unsubstantiated claim that immigrants were slaughtering park ducks for food and accused city officials of being incentivized to bring in immigrants, without offering any supporting evidence.
Further fueling the rumor mill was a Facebook post focused on crime in Springfield. This post included a claim about a cat being killed by Haitian immigrants, attributed to a second-hand source – a friend of a neighbor’s daughter. This illustrates how easily hearsay and unverified anecdotes can contribute to the spread of misinformation.
Trump, during the same presidential debate, also asserted that he had seen “people on television [saying] ‘My dog was taken and used for food’”. However, BBC Verify’s thorough investigation of major US broadcasters, including Fox, CNN, and CBS, along with extensive keyword searches on social media, found no evidence of any such televised interview. This casts further doubt on the veracity of Trump’s statement and the claims themselves.
Adding to the confusion, a news report from Fox News about an Ohio woman arrested in Canton (approximately 170 miles from Springfield) for killing and eating a cat in late August also surfaced online. Right-wing commentators falsely linked this incident to Haitian immigrants, attempting to use it as “evidence” for their baseless claims. However, Canton Police clarified to the BBC that the suspect was a US citizen, born in 1997, and explicitly stated, “we have not dealt with any complaints of Haitian immigrants at all.” This incident, geographically distant and involving a US citizen, was misrepresented to fit the pre-existing narrative.
The Springfield City Commission reiterated to BBC Verify that “There have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.” This official denial from city authorities directly contradicts the claims made by Trump and others.
Alt text: Screenshot of Republican House Judiciary Committee X post with AI Trump hugging a duck and cat, captioned “Protect our ducks and kittens in Ohio!”, promoting pet eating rumors.
Beyond pet consumption claims, other related rumors have circulated. A Reddit post featuring a photo of a man carrying what appeared to be a dead goose in Columbus, Ohio, was also linked to this narrative. Furthermore, The Federalist, a conservative news outlet, published a story based on an alleged non-emergency police call from Springfield. The caller claimed to have witnessed four Haitians carrying four geese. However, when BBC Verify contacted the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, they were directed to a Springfield City government spokesperson, who again stated that “these claims were not substantiated.”
The spread of these false claims has been significantly amplified by social media. Elon Musk posted memes referencing the rumors, garnering millions of views. Charlie Kirk, CEO of Turning Point, a conservative activist group, falsely stated, “Residents of Springfield, OH are reporting that Haitians are eating their family pets”. Even official Republican party social media channels, including the Republican House Judiciary Committee X account, have promoted the claims. The latter even posted an AI-generated image of Trump hugging a duck and a cat with the caption “Protect our ducks and kittens in Ohio!”, which was viewed nearly 70 million times.
JD Vance, despite initially promoting the rumor, later seemed to backtrack, stating on X, “It’s possible, of course, that all of these rumors will turn out to be false.” However, he then added, “keep the cat memes flowing,” indicating a continued, albeit ironic, promotion of the false narrative. When challenged on CNN about the claim, Vance defended his position by stating, “The evidence is the first-hand account of my constituents who are telling me this happened.” He further added, “If i have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what i’m going to do,” seemingly admitting to using potentially fabricated stories to gain media attention.
Alt text: Aerial view of Springfield, Ohio, a city with a growing immigrant population.
Springfield, Ohio, is indeed home to a significant Haitian immigrant population. This city, once facing population decline, has seen a resurgence with the arrival of thousands of immigrants in recent years, many from Haiti. City officials estimate that up to 20,000 Haitian immigrants have made Springfield their home, revitalizing local industries. However, this influx has also placed a strain on public services. JD Vance, as a senator representing Ohio and with local ties to Springfield, has frequently discussed the city on the campaign trail, often in the context of immigration.
In conclusion, the claim that Haitian immigrants are eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, is demonstrably false. It originates from unsubstantiated local rumors, amplified by social media and political figures, and has been officially debunked by city authorities. This baseless claim appears to be rooted in misinformation and potentially fueled by anti-immigrant sentiment, exploiting anxieties surrounding demographic changes in communities like Springfield. It serves as a stark reminder of how easily false narratives can spread and the importance of verifying information, especially in the politically charged landscape of immigration discourse.
Alt text: BBC Verify logo, indicating a source of fact-checked and verified news.
