JD Vance should be ashamed.
As a U.S. Senator, his duty is to serve the people of Ohio, to represent them with dignity, and to ensure their best interests are met.
But instead, Vance has chosen to throw his own state into the national political sphere in the worst possible way—by promoting false conspiracy theories and fanning the flames of hate. His recent behavior surrounding the Haitian migrant community in Springfield, Ohio, exemplifies just how dangerous his rhetoric has become.
Vance’s baseless claims, in lockstep with Donald Trump, have created a wave of disinformation that is damaging to the very people he’s supposed to represent.
For months now, Haitian immigrants in Springfield have been the target of vile rumors, including the absurd lie that they were stealing and eating pets. It’s the kind of outlandish, unfounded conspiracy that belongs on the darkest corners of the internet—not in the halls of the U.S. Senate or in any serious public debate.
But Vance not only echoed these claims—he amplified them. And by doing so, he legitimized the racism and xenophobia that has been creeping through Ohio’s communities.
Springfield, a working-class town that has long struggled with economic hardship, has become a target of national attention for all the wrong reasons. Instead of focusing on real issues that affect his constituents—like jobs, healthcare, and education—Vance has chosen to distract the public with lies about immigrants. He is not protecting Ohio; he is turning his back on it.
This disinformation has had real consequences. The Haitian community in Springfield has faced increased hostility, with some residents forced to fend off threats of violence. Hate groups have used these false narratives to rally their cause, leading to protests and picketing against the migrants. A bomb threat alert was issued across “multiple facilities” in Springfield on Thursday. The disinformation machine, powered by Vance and Trump, has spun out of control, and the people of Ohio are paying the price.
JD Vance’s hypocrisy knows no bounds. Not long ago, Vance himself criticized Donald Trump’s immigration rhetoric, calling it “reprehensible.” At that time, he condemned the divisiveness that rhetoric caused in communities like Springfield. But now, in his desperate pursuit of political power, Vance has abandoned his principles. As Trump’s vice-presidential running mate, he fully embraces the same xenophobic lies he once condemned. This shift exposes his willingness to betray both his values and the people of Ohio to advance his career.
What’s truly shameful is how Vance has used the tragic death of Aiden Clark, an 11-year-old boy killed in a bus accident involving a Haitian driver, to further this political agenda. Aiden’s parents have pleaded with Republican politicians to stop using their son’s death for political gain, but their calls have fallen on deaf ears. Vance has shown that he is willing to exploit the grief of a family and the suffering of a community if it serves his political ambitions.
Ohio deserves better. The people of Springfield and surrounding areas deserve leaders who will stand up for them, who will bring the community together instead of tearing it apart with divisive rhetoric. JD Vance is failing his state by choosing fear and lies over truth and unity. His actions are not just a disservice to the Haitian community—they’re a disservice to all Ohioans.
And yet, it’s clear that Vance’s ambitions don’t stop at Ohio. As Trump’s vice-presidential running mate in the 2024 election, Vance is angling for national influence. But if this is how he treats the people of his own state, how can the American public trust him to lead on the national stage?
His willingness to perpetuate lies for political gain is not only dangerous but disqualifying. Ohio is watching, and so is the rest of the country. His shameful actions reflect poorly not just on his candidacy but on the very nature of his leadership.
If he is willing to turn Ohio into a battlefield of disinformation, one can only imagine what damage he would do from the White House. The people of Ohio deserve a leader who values their lives and livelihoods over political theater. Unfortunately, JD Vance has made it clear that he is not that leader.
It’s time for Ohio—and America—to demand better.
