Donald Trump recently repeated a startling claim: Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating pets. During a presidential debate, he asserted, “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 statement has ignited a wave of discussions and concerns, prompting many to ask: Why Is Everyone Talking About Eating Pets, and is there any truth to these alarming accusations?
However, Springfield city officials have firmly denied these allegations, stating to BBC Verify that there have been “no credible reports” supporting such claims. Despite the lack of evidence, the rumor has rapidly spread across social media platforms, fueled by figures like Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance, whose post promoting the claim garnered over 11 million views on X. 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.” So, if the claims are baseless, why is everyone talking about eating pets and where did this rumor even originate?
Tracing the Roots of the Pet Eating Claim
The claim appears to be a concoction pieced together from various unrelated sources, amplified and distorted by pro-Trump social media accounts. The narrative gained initial traction at a Springfield City Commission meeting on August 27th. During this meeting, a local individual identifying as a social media influencer delivered a speech critical of Haitian immigrants. He presented a series of unsubstantiated grievances, including the accusation that immigrants were killing park ducks for food and alleged that city officials were incentivized to bring in these immigrants. No evidence was provided to support these accusations.
Adding to the narrative, a Facebook post discussing crime in Springfield included a claim about a cat being killed by Haitian immigrants. This claim was attributed to a second-hand source – a friend of a neighbor’s daughter – further highlighting the lack of direct evidence and the reliance on hearsay.
During the presidential debate, Trump also claimed to have witnessed televised reports of people saying, “My dog was taken and used for food.” However, BBC Verify conducted a thorough review of major US broadcasters, including Fox, CNN, and CBS, and searched social media platforms using relevant keywords but found no evidence of any such televised interviews. This casts significant doubt on the veracity of Trump’s claim and raises further questions about why this “eating pets” narrative is being pushed so aggressively.
Unrelated Incidents Misconstrued as Evidence
An incident involving a woman in Canton, Ohio – approximately 170 miles from Springfield – who was arrested in late August for killing and eating a cat, has also been wrongly linked to the rumor. A news report and police bodycam footage of this incident circulated online, and right-wing commentators falsely identified the woman as Haitian, using this isolated event as “proof” of the baseless claim against Haitian immigrants. Canton Police clarified to the BBC that the suspect, born in 1997, is a US citizen and confirmed they have received no complaints regarding Haitian immigrants. This deliberate misrepresentation of an unrelated event further fuels the unfounded rumor and contributes to why everyone is talking about eating pets in the context of Haitian immigrants.
The Spread Across Social Media and Conservative Circles
The “eating pets” narrative has also been amplified through social media posts. A Reddit post featuring a photo of a man carrying what appeared to be a dead goose in Columbus, Ohio, was presented in some circles as further evidence. Conservative news outlet, The Federalist, published a story based on an alleged non-emergency call to Springfield police. The caller claimed to have seen four Haitians carrying four geese. However, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office directed BBC Verify to a Springfield City government spokesperson who confirmed that these claims were “not substantiated.”
Despite the lack of credible evidence, prominent figures have actively promoted the rumor. Elon Musk shared memes referencing the baseless claims, accumulating millions of views. Charlie Kirk, CEO of Turning Point, echoed the false claims, stating, “Residents of Springfield, OH are reporting that Haitians are eating their family pets.” Even official Republican party social media channels, like the Republican House Judiciary Committee X account, referenced the claims, posting an AI-generated image of Trump hugging a duck and a cat with the caption “Protect our ducks and kittens in Ohio!” This post alone garnered nearly 70 million views, demonstrating the rapid and wide-reaching dissemination of this misinformation.
JD Vance initially promoted the claim but later appeared to backtrack, stating, “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 perhaps ironic, engagement with the harmful narrative. When challenged on CNN about the claim, Vance cited “first-hand accounts of my constituents” as evidence, revealing a reliance on anecdotal and unverified information while seemingly ignoring official denials and the lack of concrete proof. This highlights a dangerous trend of prioritizing sensationalism and politically charged rumors over factual reporting, further explaining why everyone is talking about eating pets based on unfounded claims.
The Springfield Context: Immigration and Misinformation
Springfield, Ohio, has experienced a significant demographic shift with the arrival of thousands of immigrants in recent years, many from Haiti. City officials estimate that up to 20,000 Haitian immigrants have settled in Springfield, revitalizing local industries but also straining public services. JD Vance, an Ohio senator with local ties to Springfield, has frequently discussed the city in his political campaigns. In this context, the baseless rumor about Haitian immigrants eating pets appears to be a politically motivated attempt to demonize and spread misinformation about this community.
In conclusion, the claim that Haitian immigrants are eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, is entirely baseless and lacks any credible evidence. The rumor originated from unsubstantiated claims at a local meeting and on social media, fueled by isolated and misrepresented incidents, and amplified by political figures and social media influencers. The reason why everyone is talking about eating pets in this context is due to the rapid spread of misinformation, often politically motivated, and the willingness of some individuals and groups to promote sensational and divisive narratives, even when they are demonstrably false. It is crucial to recognize this rumor for what it is: a harmful and unfounded claim that serves to demonize a vulnerable immigrant community.
