In an interview with BBC’s “Newsnight,” Steve Bannon, the former White House chief strategist cited historically low unemployment rates for black and Hispanic workers and credited the president’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
“If you look at the policies of Donald Trump, OK, anybody — Martin Luther King — would be proud of him, of what he’s done for the black and Hispanic community for jobs,” Bannon said.
In a series of tweets Bernice King, the Rev. Martin Luther King’s daughter blasted Steve Bannon’s claim that her father would be proud of President Donald Trump.
#SteveBannon has dangerously and erroneously co-opted my father’s name, work and words.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018
Bannon’s assertion that my father, #MLK, would be proud of Donald Trump wholly ignores Daddy’s commitment to people of all races, nationalities, etc. being treated with dignity and respect.
My father’s concerns were not sectional, but global. He was an activist for the civil rights of Black people in America, but he was also an activist for human rights. #MLK
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018
In addition, he would never pit one group against another in the struggle for justice, as Bannon attempts to use him to do in discussing those he termed as “illegal aliens” and Black people. #MLK
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018
Bannon’s comments are like feeding someone empty calories, in that they don’t convey a comprehensive view of #MLK as a global humanitarian who cared about the well-being of all people.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018
My father would be extremely disturbed by the climate created by leaders, who have emboldened people to easily express and demonstrate cruelty, predominantly toward people of color and immigrants. #MLK
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018
Finally, #MLK would be proud of a livable wage for all and not merely a low unemployment rate. #PoorPeoplesCampaign
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 24, 2018
