Republican Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance and former President Donald Trump have faced backlash for spreading unfounded claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio are stealing and eating pets, which have been widely debunked by local officials. Vice President Kamala Harris criticized the rhetoric as hateful and divisive, emphasizing its harmful impact on the community, including bomb threats that forced evacuations of schools and public buildings. Harris condemned the use of age-old racist tropes by Trump and Vance, reflecting on their history of discrimination against Black individuals. While she expressed compassion for the affected community, she refrained from suggesting specific federal actions to address the situation. Local organizations supporting Haitian-Americans condemned the misinformation as dangerous and divisive, calling for unity rather than division. Harris's comments highlight the urgent need to confront and challenge such damaging narratives that endanger vulnerable communities.