Singer Linda Ronstadt expressed her strong disapproval of Donald J. Trump in a statement released on Wednesday evening, just ahead of his planned campaign rally in Tucson. She felt it necessary to speak out since the event is set to take place at a venue named in her honor.
In her statement, which also showed support for Vice President Kamala Harris, Ronstadt criticized the former president on multiple fronts. She referenced the sexual assault allegations against him, highlighting that he was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case last year, as well as his felony convictions in New York. Ronstadt specifically condemned the Trump administration’s policy that resulted in the separation of thousands of migrant families at the southern border, a decision that led to children being placed in shelters and foster care while their parents faced criminal prosecution.
“It saddens me to see the former president bring his hate show to Tucson, a city with rich Mexican American heritage and a vibrant, accepting community,” Ronstadt stated.
She added, “I not only condemn his toxic politics, his animosity toward women, immigrants, and people of color, along with his criminal behavior, dishonesty, and ignorance — although those are significant issues. For me, it ultimately comes down to this: In Nogales and throughout the southern border, the Trump administration systematically tore apart families seeking asylum.”