More than 4 in 10 Republicans in Ohio believe Trump’s lie that Haitians are eating pets, poll finds
An article in The Independent revealed that a significant number of Ohioans do not believe Donald Trump’s racist claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are “eating the pets.” Despite this falsehood, which has been widely debunked, Trump still maintains a lead of roughly six percentage points over Vice President Kamala Harris in the state. This lead mirrors his victories in Ohio during the 2016 and 2020 elections, according to polling by The Washington Post.
While approximately 55 percent of Ohio voters, including the vast majority of Democrats surveyed, correctly recognise the untrue nature of the viral claim about Haitian immigrants, 42 percent of Ohio Republicans continue to believe Trump’s falsehood. When accounting for those who are “not sure,” this figure rises to 68 percent.
Law enforcement and city officials in Springfield have adamantly refuted the allegation, which was amplified by Trump during a debate, as well as by his running mate JD Vance and their supporters. These claims have further stoked tensions, leading to death threats and hoax bomb threats that disrupted the community.
Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican and Trump supporter, defended the Haitian immigrants living in Springfield in an op-ed for The New York Times. He praised their positive economic impact on the city amidst a declining population and business outlook. DeWine expressed disappointment in Trump, Vance, and others for perpetuating baseless claims that malign legal migrants in Springfield.
Despite the debunked claims, Trump’s support remains strong in Ohio, with 90 percent of Republican voters in the state indicating their intention to vote for him in the 2024 election. On the other hand, 95 percent of Democrats plan to support Harris. The poll also highlighted a close race for the Ohio Senate seat between incumbent Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown and Republican challenger Bernie Moreno.
In conclusion, Ohioans are aware of the misinformation propagated by Trump about Haitian immigrants but seem poised to support him in the upcoming election, underscoring the complex dynamics at play in the state’s political landscape.