During the September 2024 presidential debate, Donald Trump made a bizarre claim that immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were 'eating the dogs' and other pets, referencing unverified rumors that had circulated online. This statement was immediately fact-checked by ABC's David Muir, who stated that the Springfield Police had found no credible reports of such incidents. The claim originated from a post by Trump's running mate, JD Vance, which was labeled as dangerous misinformation by White House officials. Following Trump's comments, social media erupted with memes, particularly referencing 'The Simpsons,' which is set in a town called Springfield. Although Trump insisted he had seen reports on television supporting his claims, the local community and authorities refuted them, emphasizing that Haitian immigrants are legally residing in the area. The debate moderators received praise for their real-time corrections and for maintaining focus on the candidates' statements.