Sen. J.D. Vance has ignited a firestorm of backlash after defending his widely debunked claim that Haitian immigrants are involved in stealing and eating pets, and subsequently urging his MAGA supporters to “keep the cat memes flowing.”
On Tuesday, Vance, who served as former President Donald Trump’s running mate, took to X (formerly Twitter) with a combative and lengthy post where he lashed out at journalists. Despite acknowledging that he had no evidence to substantiate his claim, Vance criticized the media for allegedly ignoring the issue. “In the last several weeks, my office has received many inquiries from actual residents of Springfield who’ve said their neighbors’ pets or local wildlife were abducted by Haitian migrants,” he wrote. “It’s possible, of course, that all of these rumors will turn out to be false.”
Vance didn’t stop there; he also took aim at the Haitian community, blaming them for a slew of local problems including rising rents, sexually transmitted diseases, and a child’s death. “Do you know what’s confirmed? That a child was murdered by a Haitian migrant who had no right to be here. That local health services have been overwhelmed. That communicable diseases—like TB and HIV—have been on the rise. That local schools have struggled to keep up with newcomers who don’t know English. That rents have risen so fast that many Springfield families can’t afford to put a roof over their heads,” he stated.
The Ohio Republican’s remarks seem to reference the death of 11-year-old Aiden Clark in 2023, who was killed in a crash caused by Hermanio Joseph, a Haitian immigrant without a U.S. driver’s license. Joseph was convicted of vehicular manslaughter in 2024, and his inability to obtain a U.S. license was attributed to his temporary protected status, though he held a license from Mexico.
Vance then turned his attention to critics, including journalists and activists, who have denounced his unfounded claims. “If you’re a reporter, or an activist, who didn’t give a shit about these suffering Americans until yesterday, I have some advice: Spare your outrage for your fellow citizens suffering under Kamala Harris’s policies. Be outraged at yourself for letting this happen,” he added.
In a follow-up post, Vance provocatively urged his followers to ignore the media uproar. “In short, don’t let the crybabies in the media dissuade you, fellow patriots. Keep the cat memes flowing,” he declared
The backlash was swift and intense. Critics, including MSNBC writer Ja’han Jones, took aim at Vance’s statements. “There’s certainly some irony here,” Jones wrote. “If there’s one party that has shown a willingness to excuse gruesome pet killings, it’s the party that counts South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as one of its members. But the truth is a mere inconvenience for the Republican Party, whose members have shown a disturbing willingness to portray immigrants of color as uncivilized beasts unfit to walk among us.”
Al Jazeera further reported that Springfield, which had initially attracted immigrants through a promotional campaign, has since faced increased tensions and violence against Haitians following the fatal crash. The report also supported Vance’s claims about the strain on local schools and health services due to the influx of newcomers needing translation and support.
See more responses below:
In short, don't let the crybabies in the media dissuade you, fellow patriots.
Keep the cat memes flowing.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 10, 2024
When you sold your soul did you get a one-lump sum payment or are you on some sort of installment plan?
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) September 10, 2024
Yeah when someone gets their pet stolen, the first thing they do is call their senators office, not the police.
Makes total sense. pic.twitter.com/35R0lFEYyg
— Peter Henlein (@SwissWatchGuy) September 10, 2024
EAT SHIT, COUCH FUCKER! 🖕🖕
— Mayo 🤍 (@MayoIsSpicyy) September 10, 2024
So the residents of Springfield have contacted your office because their neighbors' pets or local wildlife were abducted by Haitian migrants. But those neighbors never reported any missing pets to the local police. You are so terrible at this.
— 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢 (@ChidiNwatu) September 10, 2024
