'Clown show': Matt Gaetz slammed for invoking MLK Jr's 'I Have a Dream' speech at Turning Point event
DETROIT, MICHIGAN: Former President Donald Trump, who lost Michigan to President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, appeared in Detroit this weekend as the presumptive 2024 GOP nominee, as per The Gazette.
He attended Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point convention, where Representative Matt Gaetz was a prominent figure. During the convention, Trump praised Gaetz, calling him a "very popular guy."
My full speech today at Turning Point today
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) June 16, 2024
“America is not a slave auction”
pic.twitter.com/ns5cKZqm9U
Matt Gaetz quotes MLK Jr's 'I Have a Dream' speech at Turning Point event
Gaetz, taking the stage, criticized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He quoted Martin Luther King Jr's famous 'I Have a Dream' speech, stating, "We will not judge people by the color of their skin but by the content of their character," which was met with applause from a mostly White audience.
Gaetz further criticized corporate practices, mocking questions like "Do you have enough women of color on your board?" and commented, "You know what, America isn’t a slave auction."
Notably, Bernice King, King Jr's daughter, has consistently condemned the misuse of her father's words.
She has emphasized that using her father's quotes to avoid discussions on racism reflects a lack of understanding of his comprehensive work. "My father’s dream and work included eradicating racism, not ignoring it," she asserted.
People using “not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character” to deter discussion of, teaching about, and protest against racism are not students of the comprehensive #MLK.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) August 1, 2023
My father’s dream and work included eradicating racism, not ignoring it. pic.twitter.com/GnbrIeGqRj
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, has shown a dramatic shift in his views regarding King Jr. While he once praised King Jr as a "hero" and a "civil rights icon," his stance has changed drastically, acording to WIRED Magazine.
At America Fest in December 2023, Kirk stated, "MLK was awful. He's not a good person. He said one good thing he actually didn't believe."
Kirk has also criticized the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a pivotal legislation associated with King Jr. He claimed it resulted in a "permanent DEI-type bureaucracy" and threatens to undermine the First Amendment.
Kirk's controversial statements extend to his views on Black Americans, whom he argues are worse off because of King Jr’s civil rights efforts.
Matt Gaetz's speech at Turning Point's Detroit event draws flak online
The Internet was quick to react to Gaetz's speech with a wave of criticism. One user on X labeled Gaetz a "Disgusting grifter scumbag," while another commented, "Unserious show. So unworthy of your position. A leader - you are not."
Unserious 🤡🤡🤡 show. So unworthy of your position. A leader - you are not. 🤮
— carol c frapech (@carolfrapech) June 16, 2024
A user remarked, "DIdn't bother listening. Same old green colored poo spewed from you mouth. But you keep trying to make yourself feel better with lies and crazy behavior. You take after your orange cult leader."
DIdn't bother listening. Same old green colored poo spewed from you mouth. But you keep trying to make yourself feel better with lies and crazy behavior. You take after your orange cult leader.
— Sandygirl Joined Threads ... (@gardening_rn) June 16, 2024
The backlash also touched on Gaetz's anti-abortion stance, with one user noting, "Tell that to America's 80 million women voters who you have enslaved to your anti-abortion legislation. Let's see where that takes ya."
Tell that to America's 80 million women voters who you have enslaved to your anti-abortion legislation.
— The Fact Checker (@MonitorFake) June 16, 2024
Let's see where that takes ya.
One user linked Gaetz's comments to AIPAC, stating, "America is not a slave auction, all brought to you at the AIPAC sponsored event." Another added, "In that case, you should have no issue with calling out AIPAC's control of Congress, then."
America is not a slave auction, all brought to you at the AIPAC sponsored event
— Mike l (@MrRunon) June 16, 2024
In that case, you should have no issue with calling out AIPAC's control of Congress, then
— Alternative for Dixie (@Brohammad99) June 16, 2024
The backlash included a remark on the current state of Israel, with a user commenting, "It is for Israel, in its current state." The overwhelming sentiment was summed up by another user who simply wrote, "What a clown show."
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.