During the September 10 debate, former President Donald Trump channeled internet rumors when he said that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating dogs and cats. This started a conversation over whether Haitian migrants in Springfield, almost all of whom are legally present in the United States, were eating pets and other animals like geese. Older suggestive videos and images without Haitians and from cities other than Springfield were circulating. Vice presidential candidate JD Vance even joined in, defending Trump's claims in the media. On the other side, Springfield police, the city government, and Republican Governor Mike DeWine said there was no evidence of unlawful pet consumption. Conservative activist Christopher Rufo found a video of what he claims are cats on the grill in a neighboring town near where African immigrants live, but local police dispute that conclusion. There have been many bomb threats in Springfield in the meantime. Post-debate polls show that a bare majority of respondents think claims about Haitian migrants eating pets are false, with large minorities thinking the claims are either true or don't have an opinion.
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