Trump spreads racist lie about Haitian immigrants eating pets during presidential debate

During the ABC presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Donald Trump amplified a baseless conspiracy theory about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. Trump stated: "In Springfield, they're eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats. They're eating, they're eating the pets of the people that live there." ABC moderator David Muir immediately fact-checked Trump, noting that Springfield's city manager said there had been "no credible reports" of pets being harmed. The claim originated from unverified social media posts and was amplified by JD Vance days before the debate. Springfield police confirmed they had received no such reports.

"In Springfield, they're eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats." — ABC Presidential Debate, September 10, 2024