The world paid tribute today to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, whose music and life, which she devoted to Civil Rights touched millions. Here, Franklin is seen performing before dignitaries at the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, December 6, 2015. Clearly moved by Franklin’s performance are Carole King, who wrote ‘ You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman,’ and the Obamas who are in the audience.
Today, as Aretha’s music is played, and fans from all walks of life mourn her passing, only Donald Trump is the turd in the punch bowl. Clearly Trump’s official message was written for him, but he could not help but wing it and make it about himself. While most lauded the great woman, songstress, humanitarian and mother, Trump claimed that Franklin had ‘worked for him on numerous occasions .’
Aretha Franklin, the singer-songwriter whose soulful songs became anthems for the civil rights movement, died on Thursday at the age of 76. Since the news broke, tributes filled with love and memories have rolled in — including touching statements from Hillary and Bill Clinton and Barack and Michelle Obama, who describe her singing as “a glimpse of the divine.”
In contrast, President Trump has been criticized for his statement to the press, which said in part, “She worked for me…”
“I want to begin today by expressing my condolences to the family of a person I knew well. She worked for me on numerous occasions,” Trump said to a press pool on Thursday. “She was terrific — Aretha Franklin — on her passing. She brought joy to millions of lives and her extraordinary legacy will thrive and inspire many generations to come. She was given a great gift from God — her voice, and she used it well. People loved Aretha. She was a special woman. So just want to pass on my warmest best wishes and sympathies to her family.”
Watch Aretha Franklin Make President Obama Emotional