Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) delivered a strong performance during his appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, where he faced a tense interview with host Dana Bash.
The conversation centered around allegations that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating pets—a claim that has stirred controversy and led to bomb threats that forced the closure of Springfield City Hall and several schools last week.
Bash opened the interview by challenging Vance’s remarks, stating that there was no evidence to support the claim that Haitian migrants were eating pets or poaching wildlife in the area, despite some reports suggesting otherwise.
She accused Vance of spreading misinformation and contributing to the threats against local officials and the Haitian community.
“You’ve retweeted unsourced social media videos from a different city, with no apparent connection to Haitians,” Bash said. “Instead of saying things that are wrong, causing hospitals, schools, and government buildings to be evacuated due to bomb threats over the ‘cats and dogs’ narrative, why not be constructive and help integrate them into the community?”
Vance responded sharply, calling the question “disgusting” and labeling Bash a “Democrat propagandist.”
He denied any responsibility for the bomb threats and defended his actions as merely raising the concerns of his constituents, many of whom feel the impact of the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies.
“You just accused me of inciting violence when all I’ve done is surface the complaints of my constituents, people who are suffering because of Kamala Harris’s policies,” Vance said. “Are we not allowed to talk about these problems because some psychopaths are threatening violence?”
As the interview progressed, Bash continued to interrupt and challenge Vance, which led to a heated exchange.
At one point, Bash referenced former President Donald Trump’s comments about cats and dogs being eaten during a debate, implying that the threats against the community arose after those remarks.
Vance pushed back forcefully. “You’re saying I’m responsible for what some psychopath does because I’m talking about real issues affecting my state? That’s absurd,” he fired back.
The tension escalated further when Vance called out Bash for what he viewed as biased treatment.
He pointed out her recent interviews with Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, where she allowed them to speak without interruption and ask soft questions.
Vance contrasted this with the aggressive tone she took with him.
VANCE: Dana, would you like to ask me questions and let me answer them or debate me on these topics? I noticed when you had Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, you gave them multiple-choice answers to the questions you asked, and you allowed them to answer the questions.
I’m happy to be here to talk about policy, but if you’re going to interrupt me every single time that I open my mouth, then why am I even doing this?
By the end of the interview, Vance made it clear that he would no longer engage if Bash continued to act in what he saw as a partisan manner.
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Despite the contentious exchange, Vance held his ground, showcasing his ability to navigate a hostile interview while standing by his claims and addressing the concerns of his constituents.
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