Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, joined in spreading baseless conspiracy theories that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are eating dogs and other pets.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the former president will “soon” go to the city after generalizing those rumors last week during the presidential debate with his opponent, the Democratic candidate and vice president, Kamala Harris, held in Philadelphia.
“In Springfield, Ohio, they’re eating the dogs. The people who came. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people who live there. And this is what’s happening in our country. And it’s a disgrace,” Trump told the cameras on the stage of the face-to-face.
The news of Trump’s visit comes as his ally Vivek Ramaswamy also announced in X that he will visit the city on Thursday, reported NBC News.
Officials in Springfield and Ohio have roundly condemned and rejected all accusations. The Springfield Police Division said even before the debate that “there were no credible reports or specific allegations that domestic animals have been harmed, injured or mistreated by individuals within the immigrant community.”
Ohio’s Republican governor, Mike DeWine, also declared that these conspiracy theories were “garbage.” “The Haitians who are in Springfield are legal. They came to Springfield to work. Ohio is on the move and Springfield has really had a big resurgence,” he stressed to ABC News.
This situation created an atmosphere of tension in Springfield. There were bomb threats to public buildings there and in addition, quite a few migrants claim that they feel unsafe.
The city’s mayor Rob Rue expressed his concern if Trump finally decided to travel to Springfield. “It could be difficult, a very difficult visit,” he emphasized and when asked what he would say to Trump if he had the opportunity, he said: “We need help and not hate. And we need calm voices.”
The day before, the Republican candidate was the target of the second apparent assassination attempt in two months. While he was playing at his golf club in Florida, an armed man, currently in custody, tried to shoot him with an AK-47 rifle.
This new incident adds fuel to the final stretch of a red-hot electoral campaign, which keeps Trump and Harris almost tied, although the Democrat has a slight advantage.
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