Outraged Sparked By Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric

By: Ava Parker
September 16, 2024
The threat
Bomb threats

Elementary schools in Springfield, Ohio, were evacuated for the second day in a row due to bomb threats, as confirmed by OKMagazine.com. The city has faced unfounded allegations regarding Haitian immigrants largely propagated by former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance.

“Three schools in Springfield were evacuated or closed Friday, based on guidance from police, school officials said,” local NBC affiliate reported.

The threats follow inflammatory remarks made by Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, who have spread unsubstantiated claims about Haitian immigrants allegedly stealing and eating pets. The bomb threat specifically referenced these false claims, leading to the evacuation of multiple schools and other public buildings.

Springfield City School District
“Officials with the Springfield City School District said that based on information they got from the Springfield Police Division, students at Perrin Woods and Snowhill Elementary were evacuated and moved to another district location,” the report added.
The threat
“Police Chief Allison Elliott said that due to the seriousness of the threat, officials evacuated multiple buildings in addition to City Hall, including BMV Springfield Driver’s Exam Station, Ohio License Bureau Southside, Springfield Academy of Excellence and Fulton Elementary School.”
The situation
Despite the situation, Trump continued to promote anti-immigrant rhetoric on social media, further inciting fear and criticism from various commentators who condemned the dangerous implications of such rhetoric. Amid the bomb threats, former President Donald Trump wrote to social media about his efforts to help unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio.
Very good chance
“Bernie Moreno has a very good chance of winning Ohio against a Radical Left Democrat, Sherrod Brown, with what is happening in Springfield, and other parts of the State,” Trump said. “Ohio is being inundated with Illegal Migrants, mostly from Haiti, who are taking over Towns and Villages at a level and rate never seen before.”
Memes of cats
Trump also shared memes of cats, including one with them holding a sign that says, “Don’t let them eat us, vote for Trump.”
His interests
Political science professor Michael McDonald said, “Trump could stop this but he won’t because he believes it serves his interests. It’s the same J6 behavior of spreading false conspiracy theories to inflame his supporters and then sitting back and watching instead of stopping it.”
Haitian migrants
Numerous outlets have debunked the false rumor that Haitian migrants were stealing and eating pets.
The rumor
The rumor was initially popularized through posts from running mate J.D. Vance about his own state.