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The White House has labeled accusations that Haitian migrants are abducting and eating pets as “dangerous misinformation,” following claims by GOP Vice Presidential nominee Senator JD Vance.
What’s the deal: The claims that Haitian immigrants were abducting and eating pets began at a Springfield (Ohio) City Commission meeting, where a resident alleged Haitians were butchering park ducks for food. The story spread on social media and gained attention when figures like Charlie Kirk and Elon Musk shared it. Senator Vance also referenced these reports during a July hearing, stating his office had received reports from Springfield residents. In addition, a woman on a local community Facebook page posted the following warning below.
What the White House is saying: In a statement, White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said, “This kind of misinformation is dangerous. Because there will be people that believe it, no matter how ludicrous and stupid it is. And they might act on that kind of misinformation and act on it in a way where somebody can get hurt so it needs to stop. What’s deeply concerning to us is you’ve got elected officials in the Republican Party pushing yet another conspiracy theory that’s just seeking to divide people based on lies and, let’s be honest, based on racism. I think all Americans should expect more and better from the people that they’re electing to represent them.”
Kirby continued, “I think what we need to have is—instead of complete BS being pushed out there—is a more meaningful discussion about how we can develop legal pathways for people who have come into this country and fair opportunities for them, if they come in legally.”
What the Springfield Police Department is saying: In a statement to the Springfield News-Sun, Police said they were aware of the social media post but that this was “not something that’s on our radar right now.”
