Joy Reid Slams Lorenzo Sewell’s “Over-The-Top” Prayer At Trump Inauguration
MSNBC commentator Joy Reid was not a fan of Reverend Lorenzo Sewell’s benediction at Donald Trump’s inauguration from Monday (Jan. 20).
Reid described Sewell’s remarks as “over the top” and “quite performative.”
“I’m not sure what the point was,” she noted of the prayer, which she referred to as a “speech.”
Sewell became a prominent MAGA figure after he hosted Trump at his Detroit-based 180 Church over the summer. His sentiment at the inauguration was notably pro-Trump and made multiple references to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have A Dream‘ speech. Coincidentally, the ceremony fell on the federal holiday that celebrates the late civil rights icon.
“We are grateful that you [God] are the one that have called [Trump] for such a time as this, that America would begin to dream again,” Sewell said. He added his hope that Americans can “live in a nation where we will not be judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character.” He also referred to Trump’s assassination attempt as the “millimeter miracle.”
Sewell’s prayer was also criticized across social media with one calling it a “minstrel show.”
“Wow, didn’t expect the presidential inauguration to end with a minstrel show. Lorenzo Sewell is an embarrassment to himself, his family, and our nation,” one person tweeted, adding, “Lorenzo Sewell chose #MLKDay to mock Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on worldwide television at the close of a presidential inauguration. Not sure I’ve seen a more shameful display, ever.”
Sewell told MSNBC back in June that he didn’t align with either political party, but told Fox News a few weeks ago that “we do not believe that every Democrat is a demon, but we do believe that the Democratic platform is demonic.”
Dr. Bernice King also spoke out on Inauguration Day to point out the contrast between her father’s dreams and Trump’s vision. “For some, today’s inauguration represents the best of time: Make America great again. And for others, it highlights the worst of times: Set America back again,” she expressed.
Adding, “For some, today’s King holiday represents a day to champion freedom, justice and democracy. For others, it’s a day to decry DEI, disavow a legacy of peace, love and justice and distort the meaning of King’s words, but regardless of how this day shows up for you, we must remember the mission and be in pursuit of it.”
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