Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Bernice King Shares Powerful Reason She's 'Glad' Trump's Inauguration Is On MLK Day

Bernice King; Donald Trump
Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Images

Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter Dr. Bernice King explained why she's actually 'glad' Donald Trump's inauguration next year will fall on MLK Day.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed federally on the third Monday of January each year since 1986 after being enacted in 1983. In 2025, MLK Day will fall on January 20.

The 20th amendment to the United States Constitution specifies the term of an elected President begins at noon on January 20 of the year following the election. The public celebration of the presidential inauguration occurs on the same day unless the 20th is a Sunday.


In 2025, president-elect Donald Trump will take his oath to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution" on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. One person who might surprise some has stated she's glad Trump will become President on that day.

Dr. Bernice King—the youngest child of MLK Jr. and Coretta Scott King—told The Independent:

"I’m glad that if it was going to happen, it happened on the King holiday, because Dr. King is still speaking to us."
"We cannot retreat or recoil. We have to commit ourselves to continuing the mission of protecting freedom, justice and democracy in the spirit of my father."

She added:

"I know a lot of people are angry right now. But we can’t let that rot in us."

To further clarify her stance, King posted on her Instagram account.

She wrote:

"I am glad the inauguration coincides with the King holiday because this nation will be confronted with the sharp contrast between my father, who espoused love and justice, and Trump, who has often sanctions [sic] hate and injustice."
"The timing of the inauguration on MLK Day serves as a poignant reminder of the values my father stood for—unity, equality, and nonviolence. It challenges us to reflect on our leadership and the direction we are heading as a nation."

Addressing the article from The Independent, she added:

"While the article’s title suggests approval, my intention was to highlight the irony and the opportunity for introspection that this coincidence presents. It is a call for our leaders to embody the principles of justice and compassion that Dr. King championed."

She concluded her post:

"The inauguration coinciding with my father's holiday is not about comparing individuals but about holding all leaders to the standard of love and justice that Dr. King exemplified. It's a call to uphold these enduring values in our leadership and governance."

The post was captioned:

"A wake-up call! Where Do We Go from Here? CHAOS OR COMMUNITY."
"We have a choice. We can still fight to protect Freedom, Justice, and Democracy through the spirit of #Nonviolence365 and by choosing community over chaos."
"#MissionPossible #2025KingHoliday #Inauguration2025"

People appreciated her words.

@berniceaking/Instagram


She is not celebrating the inauguration! She is glad the country also has the opportunity to reflect on justice and honor and human rights on that day instead of the bigotry, lies, corruption and division that other guy represents, which is what I’ll be doing.
— Anna Colorado (@annacolorado.bsky.social) November 24, 2024 at 1:46 PM


@berniceaking/Instagram


@berniceaking/Instagram

Several shared how they would be spending January 20, 2025.

@berniceaking/Instagram


@berniceaking/Instagram


I'm still angry that on MLK Day, one of the most racist men in the US will be sworn in to be our president. MLK fought against men like him. A man who looks down on every race but his own. But, Maga is going to find out that if you're white and poor, Trump doesn't give a damn about you either.
— SweetGaTea (@sweetgatea2.bsky.social) November 21, 2024 at 11:13 AM


@berniceaking/Instagram


@berniceaking/Instagram


@berniceaking/Instagram


@berniceaking/Instagram


@berniceaking/Instagram


@berniceaking/Instagram


@berniceaking/Instagram


@berniceaking/Instagram


@berniceaking/Instagram

Several groups plan to hold rallies or marches protesting during Trump's January 20 inauguration.

More from People/donald-trump

Paul Mescal in 'Gladiator II' Parody
Saturday Night Live/YouTube

Paul Mescal Wows 'SNL' Fans With His Singing Chops In Musical 'Gladiator II' Parody

We've all heard the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," and we've certainly all heard advice about doing what's working for others, in the hopes of it working for us, too.

With the whirlwind of popularity surrounding Wicked and Moana 2 right now, it wouldn't be at all surprising to see more musical adaptations surge onto the scene in the hopes of riding their coattails of success.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jake Tapper; Markwayne Mullin
CNN

Jake Tapper Expertly Rips MAGA Rep's Defense Of Pete Hegseth's 'Drinking Problem'

CNN reporter Jake Tapper expertly shut down GOP Oklahoma Representative Markwayne Mullin's defense of Pete Hegseth's qualifications as a potential nominee for Secretary of Defense.

Hegseth, a former Fox and Friends weekend co-host, was selected by President-elect Donald Trump to join his cabinet as U.S. Secretary of Defense despite his lack of experience in global defense.

Keep ReadingShow less
2025 calendar with tweet overlayed reading: "We are so doomed"
Pakin Songmor/GettyImages; @Haywhyforyou/X

People Just Noticed An Ominous Detail About The 2025 Calendar—And Oh Dear

Christmas is already around the corner. Can you believe it?

This time each year, many of us are SMH-ing over the fact that another year has sped by as the holidays following Halloween hit us in rapid succession.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anok Yai; Alex Consani
Dave Benett/Getty Images; Dave Benett/Getty Images

Supermodel Sparks Debate With Reaction To Losing 'Model Of The Year' Award To Trans Model

Model Anok Yai sparked quite the debate on social media after she said she was "exhausted" and proceeded to call out the British Fashion Council after they awarded the 2024 Model of the Year award to trans model Alex Consani.

Consani, the first out trans model to ever win Model of the Year, expressed her excitement on Instagram, sharing celebratory photos and videos accompanied by the captions:

Keep ReadingShow less