Linda Ronstadt criticizes “rapist” Trump for holding a rally in the hall of the same name in Arizona | US elections 2024

Famous Mexican-American singer Linda Ronstadt has condemned Donald Trump for his “hatred” as the Republican presidential candidate prepares to hold a rally at the hall named after her in Tucson, Arizona.

In a Facebook statement published on Wednesday evening, the 78-year-old multiple Grammy winner said: “Donald Trump is holding a rally on Thursday in a rented hall in my hometown of Tucson. I would rather ignore this sad fact. But since my name is on the building, I have to say something.”

“It saddens me that the former president is bringing his demonstration of hate to Tucson, a city with deep Mexican-American roots and a cheerful, tolerant spirit. I not only condemn his toxic policies, his hatred of women, immigrants and people of color, his criminality, dishonesty and ignorance – although there is nothing wrong with those either,” Ronstadt added.

She continued to criticize Trump for his border policies, particularly his administration's family separation policy, which “orphaned thousands of young children and babies and brutalized their desperate mothers and fathers.”

Ronstadt also called Trump a rapist, saying, “Trump warned about rapists from Mexico during his first presidential campaign. I'm worried about how to keep the rapist out of the White House.”

E Jean Carroll, a New York writer, alleged that Trump raped her in a city department store in the 1990s and then defamed her when he denied her claim. A jury found Trump guilty of the sexual assault last year.

In addition to Trump, the singer also took aim at JD Vance, who repeatedly criticizes people without children as “childish cat ladies” and also as “psychotic” and “mentally disturbed.”

“I raised two adopted children in Tucson as a single mother. They are both grown and living in their own homes. I live with a cat,” Ronstadt wrote, adding, “Am I a semi-childless cat lady because I am unmarried and have not given birth to my children? Call me what you will, but this cat lady will proudly vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in November.”

Trump is expected to deliver his speech in Tucson at 2 p.m. and address the “rising cost of housing,” AZ Family reports.