Trump, Vance's Haitian smears "need to stop," Ohio Gov. DeWine says
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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine at the RNC on July 15. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) told PBS' "News Hour" Tuesday that former President Trump and Sen. JD Vance's (R-Ohio) baseless claims about Haitian migrants "need to stop."
Why it matters: Schools and city buildings across Springfield, Ohio, were forced to close following widespread bomb threats after Trump and Vance amplified a false online conspiracy theory about Haitian immigrants eating pets.
State of play: Trump elevated the baseless smear at last week's debate, taking it from internet fringes to the national stage.
- While local officials have stressed that there are no credible reports of immigrants stealing and eating pets, that hasn't stopped hoaxers from making threats.
- Haitians in Springfield — many of whom are living and working there legally — have also reported receiving threats and intimidation.
The big picture: DeWine told "News Hour" that the Haitians in Springfield are not only legal migrants, but they're "great workers" who have been "a boost to the economy."
- "So those comments are — about eating dogs and things, they're very hurtful," he added.
- DeWine said that the threats had been "very disruptive" to the Springfield community at large — highlighting in particular the strain they have put on young students and their parents.
Zoom out: In the week since the debate, Trump and Vance have doubled down on the baseless claims about Haitian migrants.
- The Trump campaign sent out a memo Tuesday claiming that "every threat made against schools in Springfield, Ohio, were complete and total hoaxes by 'overseas' actors — and not, despite the incessant claims, 'incited' by President Trump or JD Vance."
- DeWine confirmed to "News Hour" that all the threats have been hoaxes but the disruption they've caused has been real. He also noted that while some of the threats seem to have come from abroad, some originated from within the U.S.
The bottom line: "The statements are wrong ... frankly, they need to stop," DeWine said.
Go deeper: What to know about the growth of the Haitian American community in the U.S.
