Wyclef Jean speaks out after former president Donald Trump claimed that Haitian Immigrants were eating pets.
Jean went on social media to share his thoughts on Trump’s claims and urged fans to ignore him. “I will be forever grateful for my family’s life, for having a fair chance to live what is called the ‘American Dream,” he said. “I will be forever grateful for my family’s life, for having a fair chance to live what is called the ‘American Dream.’
Wyclef Jean was born in Haiti but immigrated to New York City at age 9 and he said that the immigrant community was one of America’s “greatest assets.” He went on to say that “Haitian-Americans are good neighbors and good people.”
“On behalf of Haitian Americans, I ask that we stop these racist messages and accusations. Put our hands out in peace and say thanks for being my neighbor,” he said. “ We need to respect one another and vote based on policies and facts, not crazy talk. And we need to shake hands with one another and be thankful we are part of an America for all.”
The Fugees member has been vocal on his stance against Trump’s racist rhetoric. In 2015, he dropped a freestyle when he said that Trump didn’t like Mexicans. He also called out Trump for his plan to deport nearly 60,000 Haitians, who received resident protection after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
During Tuesday night’s presidential debate, Trump said that the Biden-Harris administration has been allowing “millions and millions of immigrants to enter the country” and said that Haitian migrants were eating residents’ pets.
“In Springfield, Ohio, they are eating the dogs,” Trump said. “The people that came in, they are eating the cats. They’re eating, they are eating the pets of people that live there.”
Donald Trump was fact-checked by Springfield officials. “We have not been able to verify any credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured, or abused by individuals within the immigrant community,” Springfield Mayor Rob Rue said.