How did racist claims fuel fear among Haitian immigrants in Springfield?

The fearmongering and baseless claims that Haitian immigrants were terrorizing the community first began in September during a presidential debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, Blavity reported. Trump said Haitians were eating residents’ pets despite city officials denouncing those harmful rumors.

“In Springfield, they are eating the dogs,” Trump said during the debate, per the BBC. “The people that came in, they are eating the cats. They’re eating — they are eating the pets of the people that live there.”

In the months leading up to the election, Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and other conservatives amplified racist and baseless claims, instilling fear among Haitians in Springfield. Now, many are fleeing to other areas for safety.

President-elect Donald Trump

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