J.D. Vance concedes that ‘rumors’ of Haitian migrants stealing pets in Ohio could be false

Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance is defending himself for sharing rumors that Haitian immigrants were taking and eating people’s pets in Springfield, Ohio.

The Ohio senator said his office has received “many inquiries” from Springfield residents “who’ve said their neighbors’ pets or local wildlife were abducted by Haitian migrants.”

“It’s possible, of course, that all of these rumors will turn out to be false,” he wrote in an X post Tuesday.

The rumors of Haitian immigrants eating pets started from a social media post in a local Facebook group. However, the Springfield Police Division said Monday that no one has reported any pet-eating crimes to them.

Springfield Police said they were aware of the social media posts, but it wasn’t “something that’s on our radar right now,” the Springfield News-Sun reported.

Republicans like Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and the Trump War Room account highlighted the rumors as a way to attack Vice President Kamala Harris on her immigration policies.

In a Monday post, Mr. Vance said: “Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio.”

“Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn’t be in this country. Where is our border czar?” he said.

Haitian immigration is specifically mentioned on the city of Springfield’s website, which says they are in the city legally under the Immigration Parole Program.

Mr. Vance in his Tuesday post pointed out other issues that are associated with immigration.

“Do you know what’s confirmed? That a child was murdered by a Haitian migrant who had no right to be here. That local health services have been overwhelmed. That communicable diseases—like TB and HIV—have been on the rise,” he wrote.

“That local schools have struggled to keep up with newcomers who don’t know English,” he said. “That rents have risen so fast that many Springfield families can’t afford to put a roof over their head.”

His post also shared a link to an interview given by Ms. Harris where she discussed the Temporary Protected Status given to the Haitian migrants.

“If you’re a reporter, or an activist, who didn’t give a s—- about these suffering Americans until yesterday, I have some advice: Spare your outrage for your fellow citizens suffering under Kamala Harris’s policies. Be outraged at yourself for letting this happen,” he said.

In the comments he added, “In short, don’t let the crybabies in the media dissuade you, fellow patriots. Keep the cat memes flowing.”

Some, like Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, were sharing memes of pets asking not to be eaten.

Mr. Cruz posted a photo of two cats hugging each other on his X account Monday, with the caption, “Please vote for Trump so Haitian immigrants don’t eat us.”

The White House pushed back against the claims of Haitian immigrants eating pets Tuesday, saying “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,” National Security Adviser John Kirby told reporters.

“What’s deeply concerning to us is you’ve got now 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 an element of racism,” he said.