Home • News

ICYMI: Michael Eric Dyson Rips Trump Over Aretha Franklin Comments - 'She Didn't Work For You, She Worked Beyond You!'

Dyson's unfiltered response to Trump's comments echoed the sentiments of many of Franklin's fans, friends and family members.
ICYMI: Michael Eric Dyson Rips Trump Over Aretha Franklin Comments - 'She Didn't Work For You, She Worked Beyond You!'
Sociology professor Michael Eric Dyson speaks at Aretha Franklin’s funeral at Greater Grace Temple on August 31, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images)
By Rachaell Davis ·
A large part of Aretha Franklin’s legacy was a testament to the power of artistic activism and those closest to her made sure that message was crystal clear during her extraordinary homegoing service.
Among the many family members, dignitaries, friends and fellow entertainers who took to the pulpit podium during the service at the Greater Grace Temple in Franklin’s hometown of Detroit, Michigan was none other than renowned professor, author and motivational speaker, Michael Eric Dyson. While Dyson’s words in their entirety served as a perfect tribute to the fiery spirit of the beloved entertainer, it was his pointed response to Donald Trump’s comments suggesting that Aretha Franklin “worked for” him that ignited those in attendance and sent a shockwave across social media. “I want to begin today by expressing my condolences to the family of a person I knew well,” Trump said while speaking about Franklin during a meeting at the White House following news of her death. “She worked for me on numerous occasions. She’s 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.” Echoing the sentiments of many of Franklin’s fans, family and friends, Dyson publicly took Trump to task for his grossly presumptuous words in light of her passing during his speech at her homegoing service.