PolitiFact Names Trump’s Claim About Haitian Migrants Eating Pets as 2024 Lie of the Year

The widely debunked claim, repeated during the presidential debate, led to bomb threats, harassment, and misinformation in Springfield, Ohio.

Donald Trump and JD Vance promoted the false claim that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating pets, despite it being debunked by local authorities.
PolitiFact selected the claim as its 2024 Lie of the Year due to its widespread impact, including bomb threats and harassment in Springfield following the debate.
The claim originated as an unverified internet rumor and was amplified by prominent figures, including Trump, during his campaign for stricter immigration policies.
Polls taken after the debate showed significant portions of Republican voters believed the claim, highlighting the power of misinformation in shaping public opinion.
Local Haitian residents reported facing harassment and stigma, with some families relocating within the U.S. to escape the fallout of the false narrative.