Just days after making baseless claims about Haitian migrants stealing and eating pets in Springfield, former President Donald Trump announced plans to visit the city within the next two weeks. During a rally in Uniondale, New York, Trump referenced Springfield, Ohio, and Aurora, Colorado, two cities he’s recently targeted with unfounded conspiracy theories. told by Huff Post.
Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, has echoed these false rumors, despite multiple denials from Springfield officials. These false claims have sparked chaos on social media, leading to serious real-world consequences. Springfield has seen a surge of 33 bomb threats, causing school closures, building evacuations, and the cancellation of local events. Governor Mike DeWine noted that some of the threats have been traced back to “one particular country,” though he declined to specify which.
Republican Mayor Rob Rue has urged Trump to reconsider his visit, warning that it would place an immense strain on local law enforcement, already stretched thin by the hoax threats. “A visit from the former president would be an extreme strain on our resources,” Rue said. “It’d be fine with me if they decided not to make that visit.”
Despite these calls for caution, Trump escalated his rhetoric during a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, falsely claiming, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs… the pets of the people that live there.” These inflammatory statements have left Springfield’s Haitian community fearful for their safety. The president of the Haitian Community Support Center told NBC News that the conspiracy theories have made many feel unsafe. report from Yahoo.
Contrary to Trump’s claims, Springfield’s Haitian population, largely consisting of legal migrants, has been welcomed by the city to address a local labor shortage. Officials have repeatedly stated there are “no credible reports” to support any allegations of migrants eating pets. However, the damage caused by these falsehoods continues to grow.
As Trump’s visit approaches, Springfield officials and residents are bracing for potential unrest. With tensions already high, the city waits to see if peace will prevail or if more turmoil lies ahead.
