Vance Defends False Rumors About Haitian Migrants: ‘Media’s Responsibility to Fact-Check
(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/ via JTA)
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) continues to defend his endorsement of a viral internet hoax that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, are kidnapping and eating neighborhood pets, despite mounting evidence debunking the claims. Vance’s defense centers on his assertion that he’s merely relaying concerns from his constituents, not spreading disinformation.
However, when pressed by CBS News reporter Katrina Kaufman at a Wisconsin Trump rally, Vance brushed off a question about his due diligence in verifying these claims. Kaufman specifically addressed the accuracy of Vance’s statements, referencing the recent apology from a woman who initially spread the rumor on social media.
“A woman who was behind an early Facebook post about the Haitian migrants in Springfield has now apologized for spreading false rumors,” Kaufman stated. “You say you have a responsibility to share what your constituents tell you, but don’t you also have a responsibility to fact-check them first?”
Vance, however, deflected the criticism, placing the burden on the media instead. “Well, I think the media has a responsibility to fact-check the residents of Springfield, not lie about it,” he responded.
The unsubstantiated rumors about Haitian migrants eating pets have been circulating, further fueled by former President Donald Trump. In the aftermath of the conspiracy theory going viral, the community has faced heightened tension. Schools and public places in Springfield have been evacuated following multiple bomb threats, which Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has said originated from an unspecified foreign country.
These events coincide with a broader political narrative, where Trump and his allies are accusing Vice President Kamala Harris and her supporters of inciting recent assassination attempts against the former president. The tension around both issues has raised concerns about the spread of misinformation and its real-world consequences.
Despite the rumors being debunked and apologies issued by those responsible for circulating them, Vance remains steadfast in his decision to share the claims, framing it as part of his duty to represent his constituents’ voices. Meanwhile, the ongoing fallout from the misinformation continues to impact the local Springfield community.
