Springfield mayor confirms Vance campaign staffer was told by city official rumors about Haitian immigrants were ‘baseless’
CNN
The mayor of Springfield, Ohio, has confirmed a Wall Street Journal report that the Trump campaign echoed false claims about Haitian immigrants since the September presidential debate – despite the city informing a campaign staffer the day before the rumors were “baseless.”
The mayor of Springfield, Ohio, has confirmed a Wall Street Journal report that the Trump campaign echoed false claims about Haitian immigrants since the September presidential debate – despite the city informing a campaign staffer the day before the rumors were “baseless.” Mayor Rob Rue confirmed to CNN Thursday night that Springfield city manager Bryan Heck received a call on September 9 from a staffer of vice presidential candidate JD Vance, as the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. Heck told the Journal the staffer asked if there was any truth in rumors that Haitian immigrants were taking and eating pets. “He asked point-blank, ‘Are the rumors true of pets being taken and eaten?’” Heck told the Journal. “I told him no. There was no verifiable evidence or reports to show this was true. I told them these claims were baseless.” When asked about the call on CNN’s “Laura Coates Live” Thursday, Rue said: “Yes, that call was made, the answer was given, and what has happened since then has happened.” CNN has made repeated attempts to reach Heck for comment. The day after the city official discredited the rumor, former President Donald Trump parroted the false claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are stealing and eating local pets, casting the Midwestern community into an unwelcome national spotlight that has stoked threats of violence against its residents.
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