Katie Couric Instagram – This is an example of how disinformation travels. Here’s how it happened.
In a local Springfield, Ohio Facebook group over the weekend, someone shared an unverified story about a neighbor’s daughter’s friend finding a lost cat near a Haitian neighbor’s house. The post also claimed, without evidence, that “Rangers & police” had reported Haitian neighbors hanging ducks and geese for butchering. Although the group is now private, screenshots of these posts circulated on social media.
In response, local Springfield police said there was no evidence of such claims and that the issue is “not something that’s on our radar right now.”
Yesterday, J.D. Vance posted a video to X of himself at a July Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing, where he read a letter from Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck about the city’s challenges regarding housing for a growing Haitian immigrant population.
Alongside the video, Vance wrote: “Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio. Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn’t be in this country. Where is our border czar?”
The Trump campaign sent an email to its supporters soon after, using the unfounded rumor to criticize Kamala Harris on immigration policies. Ted Cruz, Elon Musk, and even the House Judiciary GOP X accounts have turned the baseless claim into a meme and spread it to their online followings.
Bryan Heck, whose letter Vance read, even disputed the claims, telling ABC News:
“In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.
Additionally, there have been no verified instances of immigrants engaging in illegal activities such as squatting or littering in front of residents’ homes. Furthermore, no reports have been made regarding members of the immigrant community deliberately disrupting traffic.”
🔗 Head to the link in bio for more. | Posted on 10/Sep/2024 22:17:37
