White House Denounces False Claims by Republicans About Haitian Immigrants

The White House criticized Republicans for spreading unfounded and racist claims about Haitian immigrants eating pets. Senator JD Vance and others posted accusations without evidence, fueling division. Local police found no reports supporting the claims. Vance later acknowledged the rumors were unsubstantiated but continued to blame Haitian migration for various local issues.

The White House has accused Republicans of promoting dangerous and false claims about Haitian immigrants. U.S. senator and vice presidential candidate JD Vance, along with other top Republicans, have spread social media posts alleging that Haitians are eating pets.

'The deeply concerning part is that elected officials in the Republican Party are pushing yet another conspiracy theory that aims to divide people based on lies and an element of racism,' said John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson. 'Such disinformation is dangerous, as it could lead to people believing it and potentially acting on it, which might result in harm. It needs to stop.'

On Monday, Vance, who is running as Donald Trump's vice-presidential candidate, claimed on X that pets were being abducted and eaten by people who he said 'shouldn't be in this country.' This post also accused Haitian immigrants of causing chaos in Springfield, Ohio. Other Republicans, including Senator Ted Cruz and Elon Musk, have echoed similar accusations.

However, local police reported no incidents of Haitian migrants or anyone else stealing and eating pets, as stated by the Springfield News-Sun. The rumors originated in a Springfield Facebook group. On Tuesday, Vance admitted that the claims were unsubstantiated but continued to blame Haitian migration for local issues such as healthcare and education. Meanwhile, Trump has made a series of inflammatory statements against immigrants and opponents while campaigning against U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

(With inputs from agencies.)