Former President Donald Trump made headlines during a recent presidential debate by confidently presenting unfounded rumors about Haitian immigrants eating pets as facts on a national stage. As he made these outlandish claims in Springfield, Ohio, which were quickly refuted by local officials, his campaign was reportedly supported by notorious conspiracy theorists in a real-time response “war room.”
Among those in the room were Jack Posobiec and Chaya Raichik, known for their controversial beliefs and affiliations. Trump even travelled to the debate with Laura Loomer, a far-right activist who promoted the pet-eating conspiracy online.
Trump’s baseless statements during the debate were fact-checked by ABC News moderator David Muir, but the former President stood by his claims, citing reports from residents in the area. Despite pushback from officials and fact-checkers, Trump continued to highlight concerns about pet eating by Haitian immigrants.
This incident underscores the power of misinformation and conspiracy theories in politics and highlights the role of social media activists in shaping public opinion.