“Donald Trump’s claim is not only false but also dangerous” Professor Patrick Sylvain on MCTV (Multicultural Television Network) tonight
Brockton, Massachusetts – BY YVES CAJUSTE – During the presidential televised debate last Tuesday, Donald Trump made a shocking and unfounded claim, stating that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating pets, specifically dogs and cats. The allegation, filled with racist overtones, was part of Trump’s broader attack on immigration policies.
“They eat dogs, they eat cats,” he said, accusing migrants of attacking local pets to feed themselves. His comment sparked laughter from his debate opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, but the implications of this claim reverberated far beyond the debate stage.
Trump’s assertion was immediately debunked. Local authorities in Springfield issued a public statement denying any credibility to the story. “There are no credible reports or specific claims of pets being mistreated, injured, or abused by the immigrant population,” the Springfield police confirmed. Despite this swift correction, the damage had already begun to spread across social media, amplifying a harmful, xenophobic narrative targeting Haitian migrants.
Dr. Patrick Sylvain, a Haitian-American professor teaching at two universities in Massachusetts, shared his thoughts on Trump’s remarks in a televised interview with the Multicultural Television Network (MCTV). “I’m not surprised at all,” Sylvain said, noting that this is part of a long pattern of discriminatory rhetoric from Trump. He pointed to previous incidents, such as Trump’s 2018 reference to African and Caribbean nations, including Haiti, as “shithole countries,” and his 2015 attack on Mexican immigrants as criminals.
For Dr. Sylvain, the narrative Trump perpetuated during the debate is part of a broader historical context. “This is just another reiteration of his search for a scapegoat,” Sylvain explained. “Labeling Haitians as monsters goes back to 1804, when Haiti gained its independence. This demonization was even present during the U.S. occupation of Haiti in 1915, and Haitians were wrongfully blamed for the spread of HIV-AIDS in the 1980s.”
Professor Sylvain stressed that Trump’s claim was not only false but also dangerous. “Just this morning, someone called in a bomb threat, leading to the evacuation of city halls and schools,” he noted, underscoring how words like Trump’s can inspire real-world violence. “This isn’t just rhetoric—it has real-life consequences,” he added. Sylvain emphasized how such narratives reinforce stereotypes about Haitian migrants and contribute to their further marginalization in American society.
The professor drew a connection between Trump’s remarks and broader issues of racism and xenophobia, not only in the U.S. but globally. “We’re seeing a rise in right-wing extremism and white supremacy,” Sylvain observed. “Trump capitalizes on these fears to stay relevant. His ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan recalls a time when white people were central, and everyone else—Blacks, women—were marginalized.
Even though local authorities in Ohio were quick to dispel Trump’s claims, Sylvain believes the harm has already been done. “Once a leader like Trump says something, his lies gain traction and overshadow the truth,” he said. He pointed out that other conservative figures, such as JD Vance, Republican Vice-Presidential Candidate and Senator Ted Cruz (Texas), have echoed similar falsehoods, creating an echo chamber that fuels public fear and hatred.
Dr. Sylvain also addressed the role of the media in spreading—or combating—these false narratives. He criticized social media for amplifying harmful misinformation and called for more responsibility from traditional news outlets. “The media has a responsibility to counter these lies,” he said. However, Sylvain lamented that U.S. media often prioritizes controversy over truth, which can result in the further spread of dangerous disinformation.
When asked how Haitian-Americans should respond to such discrimination, Dr. Sylvain advocated for both legal action and public counter-narratives. He mentioned the possibility of legal recourse if financial or reputational harm could be proven, but he emphasized the need to “counter false narratives in the media” by highlighting the long history of demonizing Haitians.
As a professor and writer, Dr. Sylvain believes that education and literature play crucial roles in combating prejudice. He said, “As an educator, I address these issues in the classroom, drawing connections between literary themes and current events.” Sylvain is also working on a new piece that seeks to demystify these lies and confront the weaponization of Haitian identity.
Looking ahead, Dr. Sylvain worries about the long-term impact of such false narratives on the integration and well-being of immigrant communities in the U.S. “Think about how long it took to remove Haitians from the CDC’s list of people banned from donating blood because of HIV,” he remarked. “These lies stick, and they do real damage to communities.”
In closing, Dr. Sylvain reiterated the need for vigilance and education in the face of rising xenophobia. “Trump’s rhetoric isn’t just dangerous for Haitians,” he warned. “It’s dangerous for the entire country, especially in a place with so many guns. We don’t know what people might do.”
