Ramaswamy shrugs off GOP ‘mistakes’ in Springfield migrant claims

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy shrugged off Republicans’ “mistakes” in making false claims about Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, attacking the media for focusing on a “fringe aspect” of a larger story. 

“So when people are having, exchanging heated thoughts about an important subject affecting Americans, they’re going to say things in a way that wasn’t practiced, rehearsed or tested through consultant-vetting and filters,” Ramaswamy said in a press gaggle in Springfield on Friday, according to Fox News Digital. “And I think that’s a good thing. I think it’s better that we make mistakes of saying maybe too much that’s raw, rather than self-censoring and saying too much.” 

Ramaswamy was in Springfield where he met with city officials and Haitian community leaders. Afterward, he held a town hall with the city’s residents to discuss crime and safety. 

The entrepreneur’s visit comes as the Ohio city has been in the spotlight over unfounded claims regarding Haitians living there. False claims of Haitians eating pets have been amplified by some politicians, including former President Trump and his vice presidential pick, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio).

“And I think the media in this particular case has latched on to some fringe elements of that discussion,” Ramaswamy said. “Some side topics that really are not close to the most important issue here and have used that to sweep under the rug actual real challenges created by, not small, but mass migration to this community,”

Springfield has received at least 30 bomb threats, CNN reported on Monday. Additionally, two colleges and at least two schools have temporarily closed. The city’s officials said the claims were unfounded. The city’s mayor Rob Rue also issued an emergency proclamation on Thursday. 

Ramaswamy said that the influx of around 20,000 people into Springfield has taken a heavy toll on the city’s resources. 

“That is real,” he said. “That’s not an issue that you can sweep under the rug just by … airlifting some word that someone said and pretend like that’s the real story while actually failing to focus on the actual real story. So that’s one of my goals from this visit.”