Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) took no prisoners in Wisconsin yesterday, where he confronted the media head-on, specifically targeting The New York Times over its coverage of a controversial story that has shaken Ohio and drawn national attention. The heated exchange centered around reports of Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, allegedly eating people’s pets—an accusation that has sparked outrage, skepticism, and plenty of media backlash.
During the press event, a reporter from The New York Times pressed Vance on his repeated promotion of the story, which many in the media have dismissed as a hoax. The reporter questioned if there were any boundaries Vance wouldn’t cross to push his point on immigration. Vance didn’t shy away from the tough question. While his tone remained measured, his response delivered a sharp critique of the press, particularly The New York Times. “I would never call The New York Times a respectable paper,” Vance shot back, landing a verbal jab that echoed his frustration with the mainstream media’s treatment of conservative narratives.
JD Vance nukes NYT reporter
JD: “This is the New York Times, don’t hold it against them.”
NYT: “The paper of record, New York Times. What’s something you’re willing not to say to make a point?”
JD: “One thing I wouldn’t be willing to say is that NYT is a respectable paper.” pic.twitter.com/FFrcVMIXtq
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) September 17, 2024
The senator’s remarks come after numerous reports have emerged alleging that Haitian immigrants in Springfield have been killing and eating pets, with geese and ducks also reportedly being taken. While police reports have confirmed certain aspects of the story, such as the consumption of wild geese and ducks, the claims about pets have been met with skepticism. Despite this, Vance has doubled down, insisting that there are enough eyewitness accounts to warrant serious investigation. He argued that the media’s dismissal of these stories as fabrications or myths ignores the voices of concerned Ohioans.
“If it were just one person making these claims, I might let it slide,” Vance explained. “But when numerous individuals are coming forward with the same concerns, it’s my duty as their senator to take it seriously. These people feel ignored.”
The media, particularly The New York Times, has been highly critical of Vance, accusing him of fanning the flames of what they believe to be misinformation. However, Vance maintains that the core of the story—community reports of missing pets and livestock—cannot be overlooked, especially when locals are voicing concerns that their safety and quality of life are being compromised.
To complicate matters further, bomb threats linked to the story were recently determined to be the work of overseas hoaxers, which the media has used to discredit the entire narrative. But Vance insists that these hoax threats are a separate issue from the reports of pet consumption, which he says should not be dismissed simply because of the unrelated threats.
They’re eating the DOGS! They’re eating the CATS!
pic.twitter.com/OtAioVIh72
— FreedomToons (@Freedom_Toons) September 17, 2024
Immigration has been a central issue in Vance’s political platform, and this particular story has allowed him to tap into local frustrations over immigration policies, especially in small, working-class towns like Springfield. Alongside former President Donald Trump, Vance has positioned himself as a staunch defender of community safety and national sovereignty, using this situation as a touchpoint for broader concerns about unchecked immigration and its impact on American communities.
While Vance’s critics argue that his rhetoric is inflammatory and rooted in fear-mongering, his supporters believe he is standing up for everyday citizens who feel their concerns are being ignored by elites in Washington and the media.
