Official Senate records or news reports

JD Vance Faces Backlash Over Debunked Claims About Haitian Immigrants Eating Pets in Springfield, Ohio

Sep 15, 2024, 04:00 PM

Senator JD Vance (R-OH) has faced significant backlash after sharing debunked claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating pets. The controversy began when Vance shared a video purportedly showing immigrants grilling pets, which was later identified as a video of poultry. Despite the lack of evidence and refutations from local officials, including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Vance defended his actions in multiple media appearances, including a heated interview with CNN's Dana Bash, stating that he would 'create stories' to draw attention to issues affecting Americans. Vance's claims, which have been a central theme of the Trump campaign, have been widely criticized as racist and harmful. Vance admitted that his intention was to draw media attention to the suffering of Americans, even if it meant fabricating stories.