Reputable US Republican politicians have been spreading false rumours about Haitian immigrants eating pets in an Ohio town, including former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Republican Senator JD Vance. Despite local officials confirming that there is no evidence to support these claims, Vance defended them, stating that the political ends justify the means. Trump also promoted the false story during a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, attracting millions of viewers.
Vance continued to stand by the unfounded claims, citing “verifiable and confirmable” accounts from residents without providing evidence. Trump mentioned the town of Springfield, Ohio in a recent speech, promising to deport Haitian immigrants if elected. The use of cat-themed memes by Trump and his allies to push the anti-immigrant narrative has also been noted.
The Trump campaign’s bellicose rhetoric and misinformation tactics have raised concerns among political violence experts, with a series of bomb threats occurring in Springfield just days after the debate. President Joe Biden has condemned these attacks, calling for Trump to stop his actions.
Critics have pointed out that the focus on sensationalism and outrage in US election seasons is sidelining meaningful policy discussions, with Trump’s recent negative response to Taylor Swift endorsing Harris as a prime example. As Swift’s endorsement is seen as a significant political boost for Harris, Trump’s social media post simply stating “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT” adds to the spectacle of the divisive political climate.
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