During a heated interview with Dana Bash on CNN, JD Vance appeared to acknowledge his willingness to “create stories” to promote a political agenda. Bash confronted Vance about his unsubstantiated claims that Haitian immigrants were resorting to eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, which she asserted could incite racist violence against the Haitian community. In response, Vance stated, “If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do.”
These comments have raised eyebrows, with critics viewing them as a blatant admission of deceit. However, some of Vance’s supporters argue that his remarks were misconstrued, insisting he meant to highlight real issues affecting working-class white Americans that the media overlooks.
Looking at the context of Vance’s statements, it becomes clear that his claims about Haitians are questionable. Even local officials, including Republican Governor Mike DeWine and Springfield Mayor Bob Rue, have condemned both Vance and Trump for perpetuating false narratives that threaten the safety of innocent individuals.
The exchange between Vance and Bash further emphasizes the problematic nature of his assertions. Vance suggested, “The American media totally ignored this stuff until Donald Trump and I start talking about cat memes,” referring to misinformation he claims is necessary to draw media focus to important issues. When pressed by Bash about the implications of his statements, Vance maintained that these “stories” stem from personal accounts of his constituents.
Vance’s description of “cat memes” is particularly misleading. While typically associated with lighthearted and cute content, Vance’s references to the notion of Haitian people consuming pets evoke malicious stereotypes that risk inciting hatred. Throughout the interview, he also labeled Haitians as illegal immigrants, a claim that is largely inaccurate. Furthermore, his assertion of firsthand accounts remains unsubstantiated, as no credible evidence supports his claims about rampant violence involving pet consumption.
Vance’s repeated assertion that 20,000 Haitians have relocated to Springfield has also drawn scrutiny, with Trump claiming the actual figure is 32,000. In reality, census data suggests the true number is closer to 5,000, highlighting the disconnection from reality in Vance’s statements.
Given the misrepresentation of facts, Vance’s attempt to clarify that he meant “creating stories” to direct media focus lacks credibility. His admission may not be a straightforward confession, but it reveals a troubling tendency toward disingenuousness that could reflect a deeper awareness of the impact of his words.
Vance seems to be emulating Trump, who exemplifies the difference noted by philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt between lying and bullshitting—where a liar consciously presents falsehoods while a bullshitter lacks the awareness of blending truth with deception.