Republican VP candidate JD Vance doubles down on false claims about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio

Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance faced backlash for doubling down on false claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, during an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union.” Vance alleged that Haitian immigrants were eating the pets of residents in the area, citing supposed firsthand accounts from constituents.

When pressed for evidence to support his claims, Vance failed to provide any substantial proof. He defended his statements by stating that he was creating a story to draw attention to the suffering of American people, accusing the media of ignoring important issues until he and former President Donald Trump started talking about them.

However, local officials in Springfield have refuted Vance’s claims, stating that there are no credible reports of immigrants abusing animals in the area. The city’s website also notes that Haitian immigrants are in the area legally as part of a parole program.

Despite the lack of evidence, Vance continued to perpetuate the false narrative, even suggesting that the claim might not be true but encouraging his followers to share “cat memes” related to the issue. Springfield Mayor Rob Rue expressed frustration with Vance’s rhetoric, emphasizing that such baseless claims are harmful to the community.

The controversy surrounding Vance’s statements highlights the impact of misinformation and the need for responsible and fact-based discourse in political discussions.