During a recent presidential debate, former President Donald Trump made a startling and unsubstantiated claim regarding Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. He stated, “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.” This assertion quickly spread across social media platforms and news outlets, sparking confusion and concern. However, city officials have firmly denied these allegations, stating to BBC Verify that there have been “no credible reports” of such incidents. This article delves into the origins of this false claim, its propagation, and the real story behind the rhetoric.
The statement, made during an ABC presidential debate, quickly drew criticism and fact-checking. Trump’s words echoed claims that had been circulating online, particularly within conservative circles. Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance had previously amplified the rumor on X (formerly Twitter), where his post garnered over 11 million views. 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,” highlighting the harmful nature of such unsubstantiated accusations.
The Genesis of the False Rumor
Tracing the roots of this claim reveals a convoluted path through social media and local grievances. The narrative appears to have coalesced from various disparate sources, molded into a seemingly coherent, yet entirely unfounded, story by pro-Trump social media accounts.
The initial spark seems to have ignited at a Springfield City Commission meeting on August 27th. During this meeting, a local resident, identifying himself as a social media influencer, delivered a tirade against Haitian immigrants. In a lengthy and evidence-free speech, available on YouTube, he alleged a series of grievances, including the outlandish claim that immigrants were slaughtering park ducks for food. He further accused city officials of accepting payments to bring in immigrants, again without providing any substantiating evidence. This public forum became a breeding ground for misinformation, as these claims, however baseless, gained initial traction within the community and online.
Adding to the confusion, a separate claim emerged on a Facebook group focused on Springfield crime. A user posted about a cat allegedly killed by Haitian immigrants, attributing the information to the friend of a neighbor’s daughter. This anecdote, lacking any direct verification, further fueled the online rumors and contributed to the growing narrative of immigrants harming pets.
During the presidential debate, Trump amplified these anecdotal and unsubstantiated claims by stating he had seen “people on television [saying] ‘My dog was taken and used for food’”. BBC Verify meticulously examined archive footage from major US broadcasters, including Fox, CNN, and CBS, and conducted keyword searches across social media platforms. Their thorough investigation found no evidence of any televised interview where individuals claimed their pets were stolen and eaten by immigrants in Springfield. This lack of supporting evidence further underscores the fabricated nature of the claim.
The Canton Cat Incident: A Misinterpreted Event
Adding another layer to the misinformation, a news report and police bodycam footage from late August, detailing the arrest of an Ohio woman for killing and eating a cat in Canton, began circulating online. Right-wing commentators quickly seized upon this unrelated incident, falsely identifying the woman as Haitian and presenting it as “proof” of the broader, baseless claim that Haitian immigrants were engaging in similar acts in Springfield.
However, critical details were conveniently omitted or distorted. The incident occurred in Canton, Ohio, a city approximately 170 miles away from Springfield. Crucially, Canton Police Department confirmed to the BBC that the suspect was born in 1997 and is a US citizen. Furthermore, the department explicitly stated, “we have not dealt with any complaints of Haitian immigrants at all,” directly contradicting the narrative being constructed online. This deliberate misrepresentation of the Canton incident served to falsely validate the pre-existing rumors and fuel anti-immigrant sentiment.
To definitively address the escalating claims, BBC Verify contacted the Springfield City Commission directly. City officials unequivocally stated, “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 local authorities further dismantles the narrative promoted by Trump and others.
Amplification and Viral Spread of Misinformation
The false claims were not confined to fringe social media corners; they were rapidly amplified and disseminated by prominent figures and official Republican channels, reaching a massive audience.
A Reddit post featuring a photograph of a man carrying what appeared to be a dead goose in Columbus, Ohio, was also linked to the rumor, further expanding the geographical scope of the unfounded allegations. Conservative news outlet, The Federalist, published a story based on an alleged non-emergency police call from Springfield. The caller claimed to have witnessed four Haitians carrying four geese. While The Federalist claimed to possess a police report from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office substantiating the call, the Sheriff’s office directed BBC Verify to a Springfield City government spokesperson, who again stated “these claims were not substantiated.”
Elon Musk, owner of X, also contributed to the spread of misinformation by posting memes referencing the baseless claims. These memes garnered millions of views, further mainstreaming the false narrative. Charlie Kirk, CEO of Turning Point, a conservative activist group, falsely asserted, “Residents of Springfield, OH are reporting that Haitians are eating their family pets,” lending further credibility to the rumor in the eyes of his followers.
Even official Republican Party social media channels, including the Republican House Judiciary Committee X account, engaged in promoting the false narrative. The committee’s X account posted an AI-generated image depicting former President Trump hugging a duck and a cat, captioned “Protect our ducks and kittens in Ohio!”. This post alone was viewed nearly 70 million times, demonstrating the extensive reach and impact of politically motivated misinformation.
In response to the widespread criticism and fact-checking, JD Vance appeared to slightly backtrack on his initial claims. He posted on X, “It’s possible, of course, that all of these rumors will turn out to be false.” However, he immediately undermined this partial retraction by adding, “keep the cat memes flowing,” suggesting a continued willingness to entertain and propagate the harmful narrative, regardless of its veracity. When challenged on CNN about the claims, Vance doubled down, 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,” revealing a disturbing willingness to fabricate or perpetuate false narratives for political gain.
The Reality of Haitian Immigrants in Springfield, Ohio
Springfield, Ohio, a city within the Rust Belt region of southwest Ohio, is home to approximately 60,000 residents. In recent years, the city has experienced a significant influx of immigrants, with a large number originating from Haiti. City officials estimate that up to 20,000 Haitian immigrants have settled in Springfield, reversing a decades-long population decline. This influx of new residents has played a vital role in revitalizing local industrial companies and injecting new life into the community.
While the arrival of Haitian immigrants has brought economic benefits, it has also presented challenges, including increased strain on public services. JD Vance, the senator representing Ohio who grew up near Springfield, has frequently discussed the city on the campaign trail, often framing the immigrant population in a negative light, as evidenced by his promotion of the pet-eating rumor.
In conclusion, the claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio are eating pets is demonstrably false and originates from unsubstantiated rumors amplified through social media and political opportunism. Despite being debunked by city officials and lacking any credible evidence, the narrative was spread by prominent figures, including a former president and a US Senator, highlighting the dangers of misinformation and the ease with which false narratives can be weaponized for political purposes. It is crucial to rely on verified information from trusted sources and to critically evaluate claims, especially those that rely on harmful stereotypes and contribute to division and prejudice.
