Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy criticized the legacy media for allegedly highlighting a "fringe aspect" of the real issues faced by Springfield, Ohio, due to an influx of Haitian migrants.
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy slammed the legacy media for allegedly focusing on a "fringe aspect" of the real turmoil facing Springfield, Ohio, as a result of the influx of Haitian migrants.
Speaking to Fox News Digital during a press gaggle on Thursday, Ramaswamy stated, "I think that there is a temptation, social media included, but traditional media included as well, to pick on some fringe aspect of a really important discussion."
Vivek Ramaswamy Calls Out Media for Focusing on 'Fringe' Aspects of Springfield Migrant Crisis
He continued, "So when people are having, exchanging heated thoughts about an important subject affecting Americans, they're going to say things in a way that wasn't practiced, rehearsed, or tested through consultant-vetting and filters. And I think that's a good thing. I think it's better that we make mistakes of saying maybe too much that's raw, rather than self-censoring and saying too much."
Ramaswamy pointed out that the media latched onto elements of the discussion that were not central to the main issue, namely the strain on city resources, school and healthcare systems, and social services caused by an estimated 20,000 migrants arriving in a city with a population of roughly 60,000.
Vivek Ramaswamy Calls Out Media for Focusing on 'Fringe' Aspects of Springfield Migrant Crisis
"That is real. That's not an issue that you can sweep under the rug just by... airlifting some word that someone said and pretend like that's the real story while actually failing to focus on the actual real story. So that's one of my goals from this visit," Ramaswamy added.
When asked if former President Trump and Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, had any responsibility for shifting the focus away from key issues, Ramaswamy responded that the issues in Springfield had existed long before Trump's debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, where his inflammatory remarks about Haitians went viral.
Vivek Ramaswamy Calls Out Media for Focusing on 'Fringe' Aspects of Springfield Migrant Crisis
However, Ramaswamy acknowledged that the Biden-Harris administration's policies were finally receiving attention. "And in the last two weeks, we are talking about it. Maybe not in exactly the way that will help solve the problem yet, but I hope that now this will move us to a stage in the dialog where we will get actual constructive solutions," he said.
Springfield has been the subject of intense national media coverage as the city's struggles with the migrant crisis have become a wedge issue in the 2024 race. Ramaswamy met with Haitian community leaders and city officials before hosting a town hall with Springfield residents.
Vivek Ramaswamy Calls Out Media for Focusing on 'Fringe' Aspects of Springfield Migrant Crisis
Many residents raised concerns about safety and crime, accusing city officials of indifference. However, Ramaswamy defended the officials, saying, "I actually think they do care, at least the subset I met with."
He added, "I think there's a culture of fear, actually. I think the reason they're not here tonight is not because they don't care about this, it's because they're scared."
Ramaswamy emphasized the need for politicians to listen to and understand the concerns of their constituents, rather than being deterred by fear.
