AceShowbiz - Grammy-winning musician John Legend has fiercely defended his hometown of Springfield, Ohio, following unfounded allegations by former President Donald Trump and Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance that Haitian immigrants in the city are eating pets.

In a lengthy social media post, Legend urged his followers to "love one another" and show compassion for "our Haitian brothers and sisters." He emphasized that Springfield is not experiencing any pet-eating epidemic.

"Nobody's eating cats. Nobody's eating dogs. We all just want to live and flourish and raise our families in a healthy and safe environment," Legend said.

Legend highlighted the economic challenges Springfield has faced for decades, but noted that the Biden administration's focus on manufacturing has brought new jobs to the city. Additionally, he explained that many Haitians have settled in Springfield due to political turmoil in their homeland and the expansion of a legal immigration program.

"The bottom line is these people came to Springfield because there were jobs for them and they were willing to work," Legend said, emphasizing that they are pursuing the American dream like many other immigrant groups throughout history.

Despite the influx of immigrants, Springfield officials have not received any credible reports of Haitian immigrants harming pets. However, these baseless claims have gained traction on social media and were amplified by Trump during a presidential debate.

Moderator David Muir pointed out that the city manager of Springfield has publicly stated that there is no evidence of such claims.

Legend's defense of the Haitian community has been widely praised, garnering over 142,000 likes on Instagram. He has also spoken out on the issue during an appearance on BBC Newsnight.

Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, has also condemned the rumors, stating that Haitian immigrants are hardworking individuals who have filled many jobs in Ohio.