Biden Denounces Attacks on Haitian Immigrants After False Claims by Trump Trigger Bomb Threat

President Joe Biden on Friday condemned recent hostile attacks on Haitian immigrants in the U.S., following a false claim spread by Donald Trump. The baseless rumor, which alleged that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were “eating pets,” led to a bomb threat in Springfield, Ohio.

Speaking at an event celebrating Black excellence at the White House, Biden said, “It is simply wrong that the proud Haitian community is under attack right now in this country. There’s no place for this in America. What he’s doing has to stop.”

Springfield Mayor Rob Rue revealed that the bomb threat on Thursday targeted the city’s Haitian community. The city hall, two schools, and other buildings had to be evacuated. Rue blamed national Republicans for amplifying a far-right conspiracy, accusing Trump of fueling harmful falsehoods about immigrants hunting and eating pets in Springfield.

“The threat used hateful language toward immigrants and Haitians in our community,” Rue told the Washington Post. He added that Springfield “is a community that needs help,” rather than baseless rumors.

No bomb was found after authorities conducted a search. However, Rue told a local Fox outlet that the threat included anti-immigrant rhetoric and hatred directed at the Haitian community.

The controversy began earlier this week when Trump, during a debate with Kamala Harris, repeated the unsubstantiated claim, saying, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs and cats of the people that live there.” His comments sparked outrage and ridicule.

The rumor gained further traction when Ohio Senator JD Vance referenced it on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which was also flooded with AI-generated images of Trump surrounded by pets.

Mayor Rue condemned the rumors as entirely false, stating that there were “zero” verified reports supporting the claims. ABC debate moderator David Muir fact-checked the conspiracy live during the debate after Trump’s remarks.

The situation has diverted attention from more pressing issues, according to Rue, who said, “Rumors like this are distracting from real problems, such as housing, school resources, and our overwhelmed healthcare system.”

Nathan Clark, whose 11-year-old son was tragically killed last year when a minivan driven by a Haitian immigrant collided with a school bus, urged Trump and Vance to stop using his son’s name for “political gain.”