JD Vance admits 'creating stories' about immigrants eating pets in Springfield to 'get media attention'

As the rumours about Haitian immigrants “eating cats and dogs” in Springfield Ohio stirs major debate, Former US President Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance made a shocking revelation over the issue. The Ohio Senator admitted that he was willing “to create stories” on the campaign trail while defending his spreading of false rumours about immigrants.

The proclamation from the Republican Vice Presidential candidate came during his appearance on CNN’s State of the Union. Vance admitted that he felt the need “to create stories so that the … media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people”.

When pressured by CNN’s Dana Bash whether the false rumours surrounding Springfield Ohio was “a story that you created”, Vance replied, “Yes!” The conservative politician insisted that his claims stemmed from “accounts from … constituents” and that he as well as the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, had spoken publicly about them to draw attention to Springfield’s large Haitian population.

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Vance attempts to defend himself

The Ohio senator defended his decision to spread rumours over the matter, calling attention to the immigration policies at the White House. “I’m not mad at Haitian migrants for wanting to have a better life,” Vance said. “We’re angry at Kamala Harris for letting this happen," he added.

The rumours which were reignited by Trump during his first presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, have also prompted bomb threats aimed at local hospitals and government offices in the city. However, Vance insisted that it is “disgusting” for the media to suggest any of his remarks had led to those threats.

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The recent admission of Vance faced severe criticism from both sides of the political aisle. US Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, took to X, formerly known as Twitter to comment on the matter. “Remarkable confession by JD Vance this morning when he said he will “create stories” (that is, lie) to redirect the media,” Buttigieg wrote on Sunday.

Remarkable confession by JD Vance this morning when he said he will “create stories” (that is, lie) to redirect the media.

All this to change the subject away from abortion rights, manufacturing jobs, taxation of the rich, and the other things clearly at stake in this election.

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) September 15, 2024

“All this to change the subject away from abortion rights, manufacturing jobs, taxation of the rich, and the other things clearly at stake in this election,” he added. Meanwhile, the Republican Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine, said on Sunday on ABC’s This Week that Haitians in Springfield “are here legally”. “What the employers tell you is, you know, we don’t know what we would do without them,” DeWine said. “They are working. And they are working very hard. And they’re fitting in,” he furthered.

During the CNN interview, Vance also sidestepped the comments made by far-right Trump campaign ally Laura Loomer that the White House “will smell like curry” if Harris wins the election. While Harris is of Indian and Jamaican heritage, Vance’s wife, Usha Vance is of Indian origin as well.

“I make a mean chicken curry,” he said, but “I don’t think that it’s insulting for anybody to talk about their dietary preferences or what they want to do in the White House." “What Laura said about Kamala Harris is not what we should be focused on. We should be focused on the policy and on the issues," he added.