Rev. Al Sharpton sets the record straight on Aretha Franklin's relationship with Trump

Rev. Al Sharpton speaks at Aretha Franklin's funeral.
(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter/ABC News)

After soul legend Aretha Franklin died earlier this month, President Trump offered some clumsy condolences to her family, saying he knew the singer well and that "she worked for me on numerous occasions."

The comment predictably drew ire from critics who said it was a "narcissistic" way to honor her memory. Franklin sang at Trump-owned businesses several times over the decades, reports The Washington Post, but biographer David Ritz said it was inaccurate to imply the two had "some type of bond."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.