Pianist John Legend responded to former President Donald Trump’s remarks about Haitian immigrants during the September 10 presidential debate. Trump claimed that the immigrants consumed dogs, cats, and other pets belonging to residents. On September 12, Legend took to his Instagram and reflected on Springfield's history, explaining that the city had declined for decades due to a lack of jobs and opportunities.
He added that during his time in Springfield, the population was around 75,000, but it had dropped to around 60,000 in the last five years. While speaking about embracing immigrants in all communities, John Legend said:
“Some facts about immigrants. They usually do very well here. They are hardworking, they’re ambitious. They commit less crime than native-born Americans, and they will assimilate and integrate in time. But it takes time, so I think all of us need to have the same kind of grace that we would want our ancestors to have.”
John Legend further discussed how, under the Biden administration, new jobs emerged, particularly in manufacturing, as more plants and factories sought employees. Despite increasing job opportunities, the town’s reduced population could not meet the demand.
At the same time, Haiti faced upheaval, prompting the federal government to grant visas and immigration status to many Haitian immigrants, allowing them to come to the U.S. legally. He acknowledged the difficulties brought on by the demographic changes, noting that integrating a new population with different languages, cultures, and dietary preferences could pose challenges.
John Legend said the people wanted to live the American dream
The pianist drew a parallel between the experiences of those in Springfield and the journeys of various immigrant groups, such as German, Irish, Italian, Jewish, Jamaican, and Polish ancestors. These groups, he noted, faced similar challenges when they came to the country, often without knowing the language, sharing the same customs, or eating the same foods, and had to adapt to their new surroundings.
John Legend added:
“The bottom line is these people came to Springfield because there were jobs for them, and they were willing to work, and they wanted to live the American Dream.”
John Legend, however, clarified that no one was harming pets and that everyone wanted to live, thrive, and raise their families in a safe and healthy environment. He then urged for mutual respect and love. Legend concluded by asking his fans to embrace the Christian principle of loving one's neighbor as oneself and treating strangers with kindness.
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On September 11, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine reportedly rejected the accusations made by Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance. In an interview on CBS’s America Decides, DeWine noted that these sensational claims originated online and acknowledged that the internet can often be unreliable and misleading.
The governor also mentioned that city officials, including the mayor of the working-class city, Rob Rue, have confirmed that there is no evidence to support the claims of such activities occurring.
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