John Legend addressed Donald Trump’s attack on Haitian immigrants living in Springfield, Ohio during the presidential debate on Tuesday, September 10. Trump said that Haitian immigrants are kidnapping pets in the city and eating them. “They’re eating dogs. They’re eating cats. They’re eating people’s pets that live there,” he said. Springfield, Ohio is the singer’s hometown and he couldn’t resist responding to the former president’s comments.
Also Read: Justin Timberlake issues forceful apology for ‘disappointing’ behavior in DWI case
John Legend responds to Springfield controversy
John posted a video on Instagram on Thursday, September 12, in which he reminded his fans that he grew up in Springfield. He began by saying, “You may have heard about Springfield, Ohio this week. In fact, if you watched the debates, our presidential candidates talked about us, including a very special, interesting individual named Donald J. Trump.” In the extended video, the All of Me singer who is a core Democrat argued that no one in his hometown is eating cats and dogs.
He also highlighted that the city has seen an influx of jobs under President Joe Biden’s administration, while last year people had to leave the city in search of work. He emphasized that the arrival of Haitian immigrants to the region was legal and they contributed to filling local jobs. So the local community should be more understanding about this, as reported by Daily Express US.
He added, “Some facts about immigrants. They generally do very well here. They’re hardworking, they’re ambitious. They commit fewer crimes than native-born Americans, and they assimilate and integrate over time. But it takes time, so I think we all need to have the same kind of decency that we would want for our ancestors.”
In the video, he also said, “Nobody is eating cats, nobody is eating dogs. We all just want to live and thrive and raise our families in a healthy and safe environment. Should we love each other?”
Also Read: Ben Affleck kisses Matt Damon’s wife Luciana on the head amid Jennifer Lopez’s ‘deteriorating health’: Report
Netizens react to John Legend’s response
Netizens quickly reacted to his response to Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield. Some netizens called him out for speaking out of privilege. One user wrote on Instagram, “It’s so weird to wear a bathrobe in your mansion and tell us how it is. If it’s so great, move the family back to Springfield”. Another user wrote, “Do you still live in Springfield? I didn’t know that. How many immigrants are you inviting to your neighborhood?” A third user said, “So when are you opening your home to illegal immigrants?!!!! I’ll wait.” Another user wrote, “Hollywood elites say so, so why don’t you go back home and live.”
Others supported John, with one user writing, “Let’s love each other,” while another wrote, “Beautifully said! You were the first person I thought of when I saw Springfield Ohio!”
