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On Monday morning, a dismal spectacle flooded social media. Donald Trump’s supporters, in their usual audacity, began inundating the web with AI-generated images portraying their candidate as a savior. But this time, it wasn’t about protecting the American Dream or defending Christian values — the usual mantras used to galvanize their base. No, this time, Trump was depicted as a hero… for ducks and cats.
Absurd, isn’t it?
But don’t laugh too quickly. This toxic campaign, mainly launched on X, formerly Twitter, isn’t just a fleeting media buzz. It’s masterfully orchestrated by none other than influential billionaire Elon Musk, the owner of the platform, with the complicity of other Republican barons like Ted Cruz, always eager to appeal to the worst instincts of the right. Their new target? Haitians living in the United States, now accused of stealing and eating domestic animals. A ridiculous and baseless label that serves no other purpose than to dehumanize and stigmatize an already vulnerable community.
The Fabrication of the Lie
In this smokescreen campaign, everything is used to divert attention from the real issues. Conveniently, these grotesque lies emerge during a time of intense electoral competition. The message is clear: make Haitians the new scapegoats for illegal immigration, just as Trump once demonized Mexicans. After all, if it worked once, why not reuse the strategy?
Recent accusations have centered on Springfield, Ohio, where a viral Facebook post claimed a local resident discovered that their Haitian neighbors tried to eat their cat. False information, of course. But that didn’t stop the Trump camp, with Elon Musk at the forefront, from amplifying the absurdity. A photo of a Black man carrying a goose was even used to reinforce the illusion. Yet, this man, photographed in Columbus a month ago, was neither Haitian nor an immigrant. And the woman arrested for eating a cat? She had no ties to Haiti — just an American.
The Trump camp promoted this far-fetched false claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, had kidnapped and eaten their neighbors’ pets, once again demonizing the Haitian community. This offensive is clearly aimed at attacking Vice President Kamala Harris on immigration. A press release from the campaign spread these lies, further amplified earlier in the day by Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, who stoked fear by declaring, “This will happen in your town next.” As a senator from Ohio, Vance has intensified attacks in recent months against Springfield’s growing Haitian population, a group whose members live and work legally in the U.S. What makes this fear-mongering campaign even more despicable is that Springfield’s job opportunities have attracted thousands of Haitians since the pandemic. They came to contribute to the local economy and seek legitimate opportunities — a noble cause, far removed from the image of menace projected by the Trump camp.
But why let the truth get in the way of a good disinformation campaign?
A Legacy of Contempt and Xenophobia
What is particularly revolting about this situation is the growing normalization of xenophobia in American public discourse, especially within the Republican Party. Ted Cruz, a man whose own family is of Cuban immigrant descent, has no problem weaponizing Haitians in this grotesque immigration narrative. But this hypocrisy is nothing new. We all remember Trump’s infamous remarks, referring to Haiti and other African nations as “shithole countries.” Yet, these very Haitians he denigrates have played a crucial role in U.S. history. In 1779, during the Battle of Savannah in the American War of Independence, hundreds of Haitian soldiers, forming the “Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue,” fought alongside American forces against the British troops. These men contributed to the emergence of the nation that today claims to be the bastion of freedom and democracy. This historical contribution is systematically erased from the national narrative, but it remains undeniable proof of the deep ties between Haiti and America’s quest for independence.
Beyond Savannah, the Haitian Revolution itself, led by figures like Toussaint Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, inspired other independence movements across the Americas, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin America. Haiti not only fought for its own freedom but also supported other revolutions by sending troops, weapons, and logistical support to liberation movements in Latin America, notably aiding Simón Bolívar. Haiti’s central role in the fight against colonialism and slavery left a lasting mark on the emancipation struggles of the era — an aspect too often overlooked in modern histories.
Today, Haitians’ contributions to the U.S. extend far beyond history. They are active members of society, present in every sector: doctors, nurses, teachers, entrepreneurs. The Haitian diaspora contributes to the American economy in tangible ways, while also strengthening cultural and social ties. Their participation in building this immense nation is an undeniable truth that even Republican barons cannot ignore.
The relationship between Haiti and the U.S. goes back much further, to times when the two nations collaborated to strengthen their independence and fight colonial forces. This historical solidarity exposes the blatant hypocrisy of today’s political rhetoric. The U.S. has benefited from Haiti’s international commitment on several occasions, notably during World War I against Germany and even earlier during the American War of Independence. It is all the more shocking that some current political leaders now seek to use xenophobia against a community that has long supported the American cause.
Today, Trump’s allies seem more determined than ever to ramp up this hatred, with the help of Elon Musk, who is increasingly bent on imposing his influence in the political sphere. Yet, Elon Musk’s father, Errol Musk, elected to the Pretoria City Council in 1972, was a member of the anti-apartheid Progressive Party. Musk, himself a child of South African immigrants, now champions a white, pure America while conducting his business through federal contracts and tax breaks. It’s fascinating how quickly self-made billionaire men forget their origins to play the nationalist card. This billionaire, who presents himself as a visionary for free speech, seems perfectly comfortable allowing his platform to become a fertile ground for the spread of hate and disinformation.
A Climate of Hate and Danger
Let’s not be naive. This smear campaign is not just about ridiculous tweets or malicious memes. It directly threatens the safety of Haitians living in the U.S. With each new wave of hate on social media, lives are put at risk. Verbal violence quickly turns physical. Trump and his allies’ racist rhetoric, fueled by figures like Musk, legitimizes acts of violence against marginalized communities.
These disinformation campaigns exacerbate an already alarming climate of xenophobia. They have very real consequences, not just for Haitians, but for all immigrant communities in the U.S. The spread of lies and manipulated images on social media fuels the rise in hate crimes, particularly against minorities. These crimes, often sparked by incendiary rhetoric, drive a spiral of fear and violence, endangering social cohesion. Immigrants, already vulnerable, find themselves at the center of this storm of hatred, enduring a double burden: fear for their physical safety and anxiety over their tarnished reputations.
It’s time to set the record straight. Haitians are neither criminals nor parasites. They are not the ones who “eat” domestic animals or threaten the country’s safety. They are people who, like any citizen, seek to live a dignified life and contribute to society.
As for Musk, Cruz, and Trump, and their allies, it’s high time they were held accountable for the damage their incendiary speeches and racist rhetoric cause. These men are not the saviors they claim to be. They are merely cynical opportunists, eager to exploit fear and hatred to win votes, even at the cost of social cohesion and human dignity.
Platforms like X also play a major role in spreading these toxic narratives. The fact that such egregious lies can spread so quickly and unchecked shows just how unregulated social media has become. If Musk presents himself as a champion of free speech, it’s time he also takes responsibility for truth and human dignity. Without this, platforms will become weapons of division, rather than spaces for dialogue.
Resistance and Pride
In the face of this campaign of harassment, it’s essential that Haitians stand tall. The history of this community in the U.S. is one of remarkable resilience. Waves of Haitian immigrants have contributed to the country’s cultural and economic wealth, and they continue to do so despite the obstacles.
These baseless accusations do not reflect the reality of who Haitians are. They are citizens, workers, parents, and children who aspire to the same things as any human being: a life of dignity and respect.
Despite Trump and his cronies’ attempts to dehumanize them, Haitians must know that their value is not defined by the lies spread on social media. They are neither duck thieves nor cat eaters. They are human beings, with dreams, hopes, and tangible contributions to this society. It is important to remember that Haiti, the world’s first Black republic, played a pivotal role in the fight against slavery and imperialism. Its people, who won their freedom through blood and sweat, continue to fight for dignity and respect on the international stage.
The Irony of a “Self-Proclaimed Savior”
As for the Trump camp, it’s rather ironic to see them play the defenders of animals while turning their backs on humans. Saving ducks, really? Maybe that’s enough for their supporters, but what about citizens with brains, capable of reasoning? Trump and Musk prefer to protect feathered creatures rather than address the real social and economic problems affecting Americans.
The smear campaign against Haitians in the U.S. is far more than an electoral distraction. It reflects a dangerous trend of alienation and marginalization of immigrants. If the Trump camp thinks it can win votes by playing on irrational fears and designating new scapegoats, they are gravely mistaken. Haitians, like all other citizens, will not stand idly by.
This campaign led by Elon Musk and the Republican camp is nothing more than a malicious diversion, a smokescreen to distract from the real issues. Haitians are not criminals, let alone duck or cat thieves. It’s time to put an end to these lies and restore the truth.
Haitians in the U.S. must remain confident and united in the face of these attacks. Their dignity and human worth are not defined by the slander circulating on social media, but by their actions, contributions, and resilience.
History has shown that it’s bridge builders, not dividers, who shape nations. And America, like Haiti, was built on resilience, solidarity, and the pursuit of freedom. Only by rejecting the rhetoric of hate can we hope for a better future for all.
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