Voters across party lines in Fox News focus groups reacted to a moment during Tuesday night's presidential debate in which former President Trump said Haitian immigrants were “eating dog” in an Ohio town, despite objections from local officials.
“In Springfield, they're eating dogs, they're eating people who come in there, they're eating cats,” Trump said. “They're eating the pets of the people who live there. This is what's going on in our country, and it's unfortunate.”
When Trump made this claim, his support dropped among all groups – Republicans, independents and Democrats – but the drops were especially steep among independents and Republicans, while Democrats' approval ratings remained low.
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Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump attend the second presidential debate at the National Constitution Center, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Getty Images)
The allegations come on the back of several online reports circulating in recent days, with Springfield seeing a significant increase in the number of Haitian migrants arriving in town, prompting complaints from many local residents.
These allegations include numerous unsubstantiated reports of immigrants eating ducks and pets. One claim appears to be based on an incident in Canton, Ohio, where a woman allegedly ate a cat, although there is no evidence that the woman was Haitian.
In response to inquiries from Fox News Digital, local officials refuted the claims that have surfaced online.
“In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by immigrants in our city, we want to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific allegations that pets have been harmed, injured or abused by individuals within our immigrant community,” the city said.
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But many Republicans continue to press the claim, pointing to reports of police calls about immigrants stealing geese.
Trump's support among Republicans and independents soared again during the debate as he spoke more broadly about the border crisis, accused Harris of “ruining this country” and warned the United States had “no chance of succeeding” if she was elected.
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But after Trump was challenged by the moderators and stuck to his guns, his approval rating fell again among Democrats and independents and rose slightly among Republicans.
“You see people on TV saying, 'My dog was taken and eaten,'” he said.
