City Hall in Springfield, Ohio was evacuated on Thursday following a bomb threat that referenced misleading information tied to far-right narratives, according to a city announcement.

During a recent presidential debate, Donald Trump brought up Springfield while endorsing a baseless rumor claiming that migrants in the area were consuming residents’ pets. Local authorities have previously stated that these claims are unfounded.

The bomb threat was communicated via email to several agencies and news organizations shortly before 8:30 a.m. Thursday. Details shared with YSL News showed that the email contained not only the false claims but also derogatory remarks about individuals from Haiti while threatening explosions in various buildings.

“As a precaution, we have evacuated the building while a comprehensive investigation is underway,” the announcement indicated. “The safety and welfare of our staff and residents is our top priority. We are acting swiftly to resolve this matter.”

City spokeswoman Karen Graves reported that City Hall had been cleared but did not provide any updates regarding the investigation’s progress or the identity of the threatener.

Bomb Threat References False Allegation of Migrants Consuming Pets

The false allegation that Haitian migrants were engaging in pet theft and consumption emerged in the days prior to the debate and gained traction through posts from J.D. Vance and AI-generated imagery shared by Trump, Elon Musk, and the Republican House Judiciary Committee.

The email containing the bomb threat included various derogatory comments about Haiti and condemned politicians for their acceptance of Haitian migrants.

“My hometown of Springfield is turning into a third-world (expletive) because you allowed the federal government to dump these (expletive) here,” stated the email. “We have Haitians eating our animals and you continue to deny this when it is happening. I’m sending a warning, I’ve placed a bomb in the following locations.” listing Springfield City Hall, Springfield Driver Exam Station, Ohio License Bureau Southside, Springfield Academy-Excellence, and Fulton Elementary School as targeted sites.

After the bomb threat was made, Trump shared several AI-generated images insinuating that pets were being eaten on Truth Social.

Trump’s campaign has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the situation.

City Manager Responds to Misinformation from Debate

In the debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump reiterated the unfounded claims.

“In Springfield, they eat the dogs. The newcomers are eating the cats. They’re consuming the pets of local residents,” Trump said during the debate, which attracted over 67 million viewers.

Springfield’s city manager, Bryan Heck, took a stand against the misinformation, posting a video message on Facebook Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s disappointing that the narrative surrounding our city has been distorted by misinformation that circulates on social media and is amplified by political rhetoric during this tense election season,” Heck remarked.

He noted that Springfield has experienced economic and developmental growth, partly fueled by an increase in its immigrant population.

While acknowledging that this population growth has presented challenges, he clarified that these were not linked to the propagated misinformation.

“These rumors will not deter us from confronting the genuine strains on our resources,” said Heck, referring to schools, healthcare services, and first responders. “We will continue to work together with our community partners to tackle these issues head-on and advance Springfield’s progress.”