Bernice King, the youngest daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., recently shared her opinions on Donald Trump’s inauguration on MLK Day.
During an interview with The Independent, Bernice had a surprising response to the upcoming event, but had interesting logic to explain.
“I’m glad that if it was going to happen, it happened on the King holiday because Dr. King is still speaking to us,” she explained.
Additionally, Bernice used the moment to speak to Americans, urging them not to lose heart following Trump’s win over Vice President Kamala Harris, who would’ve made history if elected. She also encouraged citizens to continue to fight for justice in the spirit of her father’s mission.
“We cannot retreat or recoil,” Bernice urged. “We have to commit ourselves to continuing the mission of protecting freedom, justice, and democracy in the spirit of my father.”
In recent months, Bernice has been vocal about her dislike for the misusage of her father’s legacy for political gain. Back in August, Bernice called out Trump for making a false statement, claiming his rally on January 6th, 2021, brought in more attendees than MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial 1963.
“I really wish that people would stop using my father to support fallacy,” she wrote on Twitter.
Absolutely not true. I really wish that people would stop using my father to support fallacy. https://t.co/yByOqt4JV2 pic.twitter.com/OWsSsppACv
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) August 8, 2024
Bernice also criticized a pro-MAGA account on the platform for sharing a “vile, fake, irresponsible” deepfake video of the historic figure seemingly supporting Trump. Nonetheless, in her Independent interview, Bernice referenced her father’s iconic speech while extending advice for Americans.
“Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred,” Bernice stated, adding, “I know a lot of people are angry right now. But we can’t let that rot in us.”
