Donald Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, continued to fuel racist rumors on Sunday, September 15, against Haitian immigrants living in Ohio, the state where he is a senator, despite firm denials from the governor, also a Republican.
The city of Springfield has been at the center of the presidential campaign between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris for days, with unfounded rumors that Haitian immigrants in the city eat cats, dogs and other domestic animals there.
When asked by CBS about these rumors that have surfaced on social media, Vance gave them credence: “I have heard about ten things from my constituents in Springfield, Ohio, ten of which can be verified and confirmed. » “For some of them, these are direct first-hand accounts, such as migrants who capture geese in a park to slaughter and eat them.”added the candidate for vice president of the United States.
“These discussions must stop”
In recent days, these accusations, aired by Donald Trump, have triggered bomb threats and temporary school closures, with police on alert and immigrants frightened. “We condemn all violence and threats”Mr. Vance admitted. “But it must also be said that these terrible problems were caused by Kamala Harris’ open border policy in Springfield.”attacked.
Springfield, overwhelmingly white, has seen its population increase in recent years. Fleeing the terrible internal crisis, some 15,000 Haitians arrived in a city that had fewer than 60,000 inhabitants in 2020, attracted by the economic recovery of the city and Ohio.
Questioned on ABC, the Republican governor of this Midwestern state, Mike DeWine, denied these rumors. “ridiculous” despite his support for Mr. Trump: “These discussions about Haitians eating dogs, cats or anything else must end”. “Haitians are legally in Springfield. They came to work. Ohio is growing and Springfield is really experiencing a renaissance with many companies moving there.”he insisted.
