Al Sharpton Absolutely Shreds Donald Trump At Aretha Franklin's Funeral

The MSNBC host brought funeral attendees to their feet with his searing response to the president, who said Franklin "worked for me on numerous occasions."

The Rev.  Al Sharpton hit back at President Donald Trump for his comments following the death of legendary singer Aretha Franklin

The MSNBC host and civil rights advocate was one of several speakers at Franklin’s funeral in Detroit on Friday. As he spoke in front of a crowd filled with the late icon’s family and friends, as well as celebrities and politicians, Sharpton poked fun at himself for misspelling “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” on his Sunday TV show earlier this month. 

“You know the other Sunday on my show, I misspelled ‘respect,’ and a lot of y’all corrected me,” he joked. “Now I want y’all to help me correct President Trump to teach him what it means.”

Funeral attendees started cheering, and many rose to their feet.

“And I say that because when word went out that Ms. Franklin passed, Trump said, ‘she used to work for me,’” Sharpton continued. “No, she used to perform for you. She worked for us. Aretha never took orders from nobody but God.”

Take a look at Sharpton’s searing response in the video above, and the remarks he read on behalf of President Barack Obama in the video below.

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Aretha Franklin
(01 of31)
Open Image Modal
Aretha Franklin in 1971. (credit:Getty Images)
(02 of31)
Open Image Modal
Posing for a portrait lying on a couch circa 1973. (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of31)
Open Image Modal
Circa 1968. (credit:Getty Images)
(04 of31)
Open Image Modal
In 1970. (credit:Getty Images)
(05 of31)
Open Image Modal
Smoking a cigarette as she works in the studio by a microphone at Muscle Shoals Studios in 1969 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. (credit:Getty Images)
(06 of31)
Open Image Modal
Performing in an undated photo. (credit:Getty Images)
(07 of31)
Open Image Modal
Posing for a portrait circa 1965. (credit:Getty Images)
(08 of31)
Open Image Modal
Posing for a portrait circa 1965. (credit:Getty Images)
(09 of31)
Open Image Modal
Appearing on "The Andy Williams Show" in 1969. (credit:Getty Images)
(10 of31)
Open Image Modal
Posing for a portrait circa 1967. (credit:Getty Images)
(11 of31)
Open Image Modal
At the Muhammad Ali Variety Special in 1975. (credit:Getty Images)
(12 of31)
Open Image Modal
Singing circa 1972. (credit:Getty Images)
(13 of31)
Open Image Modal
Wearing a leather jacket in a 1990 portrait. (credit:Getty Images)
(14 of31)
Open Image Modal
Performing on stage in 1968. (credit:Getty Images)
(15 of31)
Open Image Modal
Portrait in 1973. (credit:Getty Images)
(16 of31)
Open Image Modal
At a news conference in 1973. (credit:AP)
(17 of31)
Open Image Modal
Standing backstage wearing a gold embroidered gown and holding a Grammy Award, circa 1970. (credit:Getty Images)
(18 of31)
Open Image Modal
Holding her Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues performance of the song "Bridge Over Troubled Water," in 1972. (credit:AP)
(19 of31)
Open Image Modal
Alongside Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Operation PUSH Soul Picnic at the 142nd Street Armory in New York in 1972. (credit:AP)
(20 of31)
Open Image Modal
Performing with James Brown at the Taboo nightclub in Detroit in 1987. (credit:AP)
(21 of31)
Open Image Modal
Reviewing a copy of her album "Aretha Franklin -- Soul '69" at Atlantic Records studios in 1969 in New York City. (credit:Getty Images)
(22 of31)
Open Image Modal
Performing onstage at the New Victoria Theater in the United Kingdom circa 1980. (credit:Getty Images)
(23 of31)
Open Image Modal
During the 59th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2005. (credit:Getty Images)
(24 of31)
Open Image Modal
In 1968. (credit:Getty Images)
(25 of31)
Open Image Modal
At the rehearsal for the "Aretha Franklin: Duets" concert to benefit the Gay Men's Health Crisis at New York's Nederlander Theatre in 1993. (credit:Getty Images)
(26 of31)
Open Image Modal
Holding up her American Music Awards trophy in one hand and her shoes in the other as she poses for photographers backstage at the 10th annual American Music Awards. (credit:Getty Images)
(27 of31)
Open Image Modal
Singing outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., during President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993. (credit:Getty Images)
(28 of31)
Open Image Modal
Performing in 1989 at a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (credit:Getty Images)
(29 of31)
Open Image Modal
With Arista Records chief Clive Davis at New York's Plaza Hotel for a pre-Grammy party thrown by Davis in 1997. (credit:Getty Images)
(30 of31)
Open Image Modal
Rehearsing with the Blues Brothers at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. (credit:Getty Images)
(31 of31)
Open Image Modal
Performing at "VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin" held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2001. (credit:Getty Images)