The viral claim about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, has garnered millions of views on X, and former President Donald Trump repeated it in the debate.
www.cbsnews.com
Officials in Springfield, Ohio, said Monday they have not received any credible reports of Haitian immigrants abducting and eating pets, despite viral claims on social media that have been
amplified by Republican vice presidential nominee
JD Vance and others.
References to the claim, which allege Haitian migrants have been eating cats, as well as ducks and geese, have garnered millions of views on X, with Vance's X post racking up 9.2 million views alone, as of Tuesday morning.
Vance, the Republican senator for Ohio,
said he had previously raised the issue of Haitian immigrants "causing chaos all over Springfield," adding, "Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in this country."
The
House Judiciary GOP, Sen.
Ted Cruz and
Elon Musk, the owner of X, also posted about the claim on Monday. Cruz, a Texas Republican, posted a
meme on X showing two cats holding each other, with text that reads "Please vote for Trump so Haitian immigrants don't eat us."
But the city's spokesperson told CBS News there have been "no credible reports or specific claims" of pets being harmed by migrants.
"In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community," said Karen Graves, strategic engagement manager for Springfield.
