Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance, said in a post on X that his office had "received many inquiries" about Haitian migrants eating pets in Ohio, but Springfield officials debunked the conspiracy. (Scripps News)

Posted 9:14 PM, Sep 10, 2024

Former President Donald Trump during his Tuesday debate against Vice President Kamala Harris amplified a false claim that migrants are eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, despite local officials saying there's no evidence to back the claim.

In answering a question about immigration, Trump mentioned Springfield and Aurora, Colorado, claiming local leaders aren't vocal about apparent migrant problems, including what he claimed were immigrants abducting and eating pets.

"A lot of towns don't want to talk about it because they're so embarrassed by it. In Springfield, they're eating the dogs. The people that came in, they're eating the cats," Trump said. "They're eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame."

ABC News debate moderator David Muir then said Springfield's city manager had debunked the claims, saying there have been "no credible reports or claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community. Trump then replied, "We'll find out," before Harris said, "Talk about extreme," and laughed at her competitor's comments.

RELATED STORY | Scripps News fact-checks the Trump-Harris presidential debate

The former president's remarks echo an...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi4gFBVV95cUxQQURMRGVjb2FjTWN4TjNxZWpF...