Singer-songwriter John Legend took to his Instagram account on Thursday after Tuesday's presidential debate to slam and debunk former President Trump's claims that Haitian immigrants are eating dogs and cats in Legend's hometown of Springfield, Ohio.
In Springfield, Haitian immigrants Upon arriving in the city, Legend denied rumours that he was stealing and eating pets.
“Nobody eats cats. Nobody eats dogs,” he said at length. video “The bottom line is, these people came to Springfield because there were jobs and they were willing to work,” he said, wearing a white robe from his Beverly Hills mansion, more than 2,200 miles from Springfield.
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Pop star John Legend has called on residents of his hometown of Springfield, Ohio, to embrace the influx of Haitian immigrants, after former President Donald Trump claimed the migrants were eating residents' pets. (Getty Images/Michael Lee)
“Let's love each other. See the humanity in each other….Let's talk about Springfield, Ohio,” the Grammy and Academy Award-winning entertainer wrote in his caption, saying he was born “John R. Stevens” and grew up in Springfield. He called on residents to show “tolerance” to the roughly 15,000 immigrants who have arrived there.
“They wanted to live the American Dream, just like your German ancestors, your Irish ancestors, your Italian ancestors, your Jewish ancestors, your Jamaican ancestors, your Polish ancestors, all of your ancestors that immigrated to this country,” Legend continued in the video.
Springfield, Ohio resident recounts 'dystopian nightmare' of Haitian migrants taking over town: 'It's heartbreaking'
Musician John Legend rehearses ahead of the start of day three of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago last month. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Thousands of Haitians arrived in Springfield. COVID-19 pandemicResidents say the influx of new residents — about 20,000 Haitians in a town of 58,000 — has led to increased crime, unrest and car accidents. According to city authorities.
Residents have resisted the influx, sharing their anger at the continued influx at a recent city council meeting and demanding that the problem be addressed.
Legend fired back, pointing out the challenges immigrants face when they are simply seeking “opportunity for themselves and their families in the American dream.”
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On the left is the Haitian Community Center in Springfield, Ohio, and on the right is a sign welcoming drivers to the city. (Michael Lee/Fox News Digital)
However, online backlash against Legend's post was swift, with many pointing out his hypocrisy given that he no longer lives in Ohio.
“You let them live in your palace,” one person commented.
“Pretty wild that she's sharing her thoughts in a bathrobe in her mansion. If it's that great she should bring her family back to Springfield,” another wrote.
“You still live in Springfield? I had no idea. How many immigrants are you inviting into your neighborhood?” another person commented on the post.
“So when are you going to open your homes to illegal immigrants?!!!! I'm waiting,” wrote another.
Charlie Kirk, founder and CEO of Turning Point USA and host of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” echoed X, expressing concern about Legend's posts and their disconnect with the American public.
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“John Legend took to social media to lecture residents of his hometown of Springfield about being more tolerant of the 20,000 Haitians who filled their town,” Kirk wrote.
“Of course, John Legend doesn't live in Springfield, and like most arrogant liberals, he would never in a million years put the consequences of his ideology into practice. Instead, he sits safely in his $18 million Beverly Hills mansion and disregards the pain, fear and loss suffered by the working class people he left so far behind,” Kirk said.
In response to inquiries from Fox News Digital, local officials refuted the claims that have surfaced online.
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“In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by immigrants in our city, we want to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific allegations that pets have been harmed, injured or abused by individuals within our immigrant community,” the city said.
Fox News Digital's Adam Shaw and Bailey Hill contributed to this report.
