‘I’m afraid’: Aftermath of Trump’s misinformation on Springfield’s Haitians

How a debunked rumour amplified anti-migrant sentiments and caused chaos in Springfield, Ohio.

Springfield, Ohio – Vilbrun Dorsainvil said he fled his home country, Haiti, after someone tried to kidnap him.

Three years later, he says he’s afraid for his and his community’s safety in the United States.

“Before, I was not. But right now, I can say I am afraid,” Dorsainvil said. “Right now, I’m afraid there may be a mass shooting on us. That would be terrible.”

Dorsainvil’s fear started during ABC’s September 10 presidential debate from Philadelphia, when former President Donald Trump repeated a debunked claim about migrants in this small city about 72km (45 miles) west of Columbus, the state’s capital. Trump referred to “Springfield” three times.

“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats,” the Republican nominee said. “They’re eating, they’re eating the pets of the people that live there.”