BY MAKEDA MCLUNE, President, Miami Dade Democratic Black Caucus
WASHINGTON, DC – The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida (DBCF) strongly condemns the recent false and inflammatory remarks made by former President Donald Trump during the first presidential debate. Trump’s unfounded claim that Haitian immigrants have been eating domestic pets has caused widespread outrage, especially within the Haitian American community.
During the debate, Trump stated: “In Springfield, they are eating the dogs. The people that came in, they are eating the cats. They’re eating – they are eating the pets of the people that live there.” This baseless assertion was quickly debunked by city officials in Springfield, who reported that there is “no credible evidence” to support such claims.
The misinformation, initially circulated on social media, was amplified when Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance repeated it on X (formerly Twitter), where the post accumulated over 11 million views. U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby denounced the remarks as “dangerous” and “a conspiracy theory… rooted in racism.”
Trevor Mallory, President of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida, issued a strong rebuke to Trump’s rhetoric. “On behalf of the 100,000 Haitian Americans in Florida, many of whom are proud members of the DBCF, we stand with you. The stigma and falsehoods our Haitian brothers and sisters endure are unacceptable. We hear you, we see you, and we support you. This rhetoric is not just aimed at Haitian immigrants, but at all of us. When they speak this way about them, they attack our entire community. Trump’s history of demeaning Black people is well-documented, and we will not tolerate it.”
Mallory further urged the community to take action at the polls. “We must use our power, our voices, and our votes to elect leaders who represent our values. This kind of leadership is not what America needs. Democracy will not die on our watch.”
About the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida (DBCF): The DBCF serves as the collective voice of over three million Democrats across Florida, with a growing membership dedicated to ensuring that Black voices are heard and reflected in public policy. The DBCF advocates on key issues impacting Black communities, striving to create strategies and solutions to address civil rights, voting rights, healthcare access, economic equality, and more. Through voter education and empowerment, the DBCF works to influence elections and create a Florida that respects women’s rights, civil liberties, and justice for all.
