JD Vance Spreads Unfounded Claim About Haitian Immigrants in Ohio
Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance has stirred controversy by repeating an unfounded accusation that Haitian immigrants in a small Ohio town are abducting and eating pets. However, local officials have firmly denied these claims, with Springfield authorities telling BBC Verify there is no credible evidence to support such allegations.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Vance alleged that Haitian immigrants were “causing chaos” in Springfield, Ohio. He went on to claim, “Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by individuals who shouldn’t be in this country,” also taking a swipe at Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Republicans have dubbed the “border czar.”
The post, which has racked up over 9 million views, quickly sparked outrage, with White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby calling Vance’s statement “dangerous” and a baseless “conspiracy theory” rooted in prejudice.
Tracing the Origins of the Claim The claims appear to have gained traction after circulating in right-wing circles and social media. At a city commission meeting in Springfield on August 27, a local resident and self-proclaimed social media influencer launched a tirade against Haitian immigrants, accusing them—without evidence—of hunting ducks for food and criticizing city officials for allegedly being paid to bring in migrants.
The rumor of a cat being killed by Haitian immigrants surfaced on a Facebook post, attributed to the “friend of a neighbor’s daughter,” but no concrete proof has been provided. Additionally, an image of a man carrying a goose in nearby Columbus, Ohio, was shared on Reddit, fueling speculation.
A separate, unrelated incident from late August, in which a woman was arrested for killing and eating a cat, has also been misused to bolster these claims. Though some commentators have referred to her as Haitian, police confirmed that the incident occurred in Canton, Ohio, two and a half hours from Springfield, and there is no mention of her nationality in reports.
Despite the lack of evidence, Vance’s claim has found support from other right-wing voices, including Elon Musk and Charlie Kirk, CEO of conservative group Turning Point USA. The Republican House Judiciary Committee even shared an AI-generated image of former President Trump hugging a duck and a cat with the caption, “Protect our ducks and kittens in Ohio!” That post reached nearly 70 million views.
Local Response In response to these rumors, Springfield city officials have spoken out, stating clearly, “There have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured, or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.”
By Tuesday, Vance appeared to soften his position, acknowledging in a new post on X, “It’s possible, of course, that all of these rumors will turn out to be false.”
Haitian Immigrants in Springfield Springfield, a city of around 60,000 people in Ohio’s rust belt, has seen an influx of Haitian immigrants in recent years. Officials estimate up to 20,000 Haitians have moved to the area, helping to reverse decades of population decline. While the new residents have revitalized local industries, the growing population has also strained city services.
Vance, who grew up near Springfield, has frequently mentioned the city on his campaign trail, using it as an example in his rhetoric on immigration. The Trump campaign has yet to respond to the BBC’s request for comment.
