Why Springfield Sues Trump, JD Vance for Millions
The City of Springfield, Ohio, on behalf of itself and the defamed Haitians (the Plaintiffs), should file the Springfield Sues Trump lawsuit to recover costs suffered from Trump’s and JD Vance’s false claimsthat Haitians immigrants there eat peoples pets and spread disease (when the incidence of disease declined after the Haitians arrived). The Plaintiffs should also sue for punitive damages to punish the defendants for their knowing and admitted lies maligning the Haitians.
False Claims Leading to Springfield Sues Trump and Vance
In a recent Ohio case, Oberlin College was ordered to pay 36.59million dollars to Gibsons Bakery for falsely accusing the bakery of racism in claiming that three black Oberlin students of attempted to steal wine.The factsbear a similarity to Trump’s and Vance’s knowing and racist lies about Haitian immigrants in Springfield. Equally important, the suit would warn politicians that they’ll be held accountable for suffering caused by their falsehoods and, perhaps, discourage some of the pernicious claims made by them.
Defamation Under Ohio Law: Why Springfield Sues Trump
Trump’s and Vance’s accusations check all the boxes under Ohio’s Defamation Law, which defines defamation as a false statement reported in a tangible medium, including on social media, or published or broadcast over TV or in a printed news outlet, that causes injury to a person’s reputation, exposes them to public hatred, contempt, ridicule, shame, or disgrace.
Proving Defamation in Springfield’s Case Against Trump
To prove defamation in Ohio, the Plaintiffs must show that the defendants were at least negligent concerning the falsity of their statements – a no-brainer given that Vance admitted he fabricated his claim.
Defamation Per Se: Trump and Vance’s Lies Against Haitians
Worse for Trump and Vance, their lies constituted defamation per se, defined as statements that are so inherently damaging , inflammatory, abusive or disparaging that they it is presumed that the Plaintiffs suffered harm, and no additional proof is needed.
Where the defendants are public figures, as Trump and Vance are, the Plaintiffs must establish that the defendants acted with actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth when making their false statement — another no brainer because both defendants knew the truth when they lied.
Punitive Damages: Springfield’s Legal Action Against Trump
Although Ohio Law provides that the court shall not enter judgment for punitive or exemplary damages in excess of two times the amount of compensatory damages, the latter includes damage to reputation, humiliation, mental anguish, and suffering – a 3rd no-brainer given that, following the debate with Harris, more than half of Trump supporters believe that Haitian immigrants in Ohio eat people’s pets.
The Harm Done: Why Springfield Sues Trump and Vance
Trump’s and Vance’s accusations triggered many hardships upon the Plaintiffs, including damage to their reputations, humiliation, mental anguish, public hatred, contempt, ridicule, shame, disgrace and suffering.
Threats and Violence Sparked by Trump and Vance’s False Claims
There were over 33 kinds of threats, including bomb threats, to Springfield’s City Hall, public schools, universities, and community centers.
Hate groups like the Proud Boys and Armed neo-Nazi members of Blood Tribe – a hardcore white supremacist group – marched through the city. The Blood Tribe flew flags bearing swastikas. Fliers were circulated claiming that Haitian immigrants were “disease-ridden and filthy.”
What makes Trump’s and Vance’s lies so egregious and hurtful is that, instead of harming Springfield, the Haitian immigrants sparked an economic recovery. Springfield was once a thriving manufacter of agricultural machinery, but it lost a quarter of its population, including workers, over the last four decades, which left the city with a severe labor shortage. So the city’s leaders got together and hired immigration lawyers and interpreters to attract immigrants who wanted jobs. The Haitians made it work.
They replaced the lost workers at Dole Fresh Vegetables and automotive plants whose owners were desperate for help. Caribbean restaurants and food trucks opened in Springfield, replacing once-abandoned neighborhoods with scores of new residents.
Shamefully, Trump and Vance continuing lying which can stop Springfield’s progress. The Plaintiffs lawsuit should also ask for an injunction to stop them.
The Broader Message: Accountability for Politicians’ Lies
An aggressive lawsuit would send a warning to all politicians that throw the truth and America’s interest to the wind to win elections will pay the consequences.
