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Fury as Gayle King asks where are the Black people at Trump’s inauguration

Sandra Rose
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Fury as Gayle King asks where are the Black people at Trump’s inauguration
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Gayle King sparked fury when she commented on the lack of “people of color” at Donald Trump’s second inauguration on Monday.

The “CBS Mornings” host asked why there were not more people of color invited to President Trump’s swearing-in ceremony in Washington, DC.

“I have to say. I’m looking at this crowd. I do not see many people of color. Does anybody else besides me observe that?” King asked. “I’m fascinated by why that is?”

King’s colleague noted the inauguration was taking place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day – when Black people in America celebrate King’s birthday.

Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly criticized King’s comment, writing: “Gayle King on CBS is questioning why there aren’t more “ppl of color” at the inauguration. Of course,” she tweeted.

Others were quick to agree with the former conservative journalist’s comments.

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Former President Barack Obama was the most prominent person of color in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Monday. He arrived alone without his wife Michelle Obama, who is feeling under the weather, according to reports.

Mrs. Obama shared a statement in honor of MLK Day on social media.

“Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service always inspires me. This #MLKDay, I hope you’ll join me and @WhenWeAllVote in honoring Dr. King’s life and legacy by getting involved in your community,” she said.

“Whether you’re mentoring students at your local school or volunteering for a cause that matters to you, it all helps make a difference. Tell me how you’re giving back today in the comments.”

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Also among the handful of people of color at the inauguration were Chicago Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, who is seen greeting Trump after the swearing-in ceremony.

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NY Mayor Eric Adams attended the inauguration events.

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris watched as Country singer Carrie Underwood performed.

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Vice President JD Vance with his wife Usha Vance (who is Indian) and their three children before he was sworn in.

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Vivek Ramaswamy and Kristi Noem applaud as Donald Trump is sworn in as 47th President of the US.

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Former Texas state Rep. Scott Turner (left) was picked by Trump to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Also pictured are Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (center) and Google CEO Sundar Pichai (right).

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(L-R): Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh and U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

Melania Trump’s Inauguration Outfit Compared to McDonald’s Hamburglar

Sandra Rose
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Melania Trump’s Inauguration Outfit Compared to McDonald’s Hamburglar
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Melania Trump’s Inauguration Day outfit is going viral on X (Twitter). The first lady was favorably compared to former First Lady Jackie Onassis at President Donald Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 (below).

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

But now she is being roasted online for her fashion choice at today’s inauguration.

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Melania was dressed in a navy trench coat, a white top, and a navy-blue wide-brim hat with a white stripe.

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Social media users said her outfit’s colors resembled the McDonald’s mascot, who is dressed in prison stripes and a wide brimmed hat with a yellow stripe.

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Trump supporters rushed to defend Melania Trump’s class and style, saying she looked beautiful on her husband’s big day.

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According to The Boston Herald, Melania wore a double-breasted navy coat by Adam Lippes, topped with a boater hat by Eric Javits, both American designers.

For Sunday’s wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Ceremony, Melania was dressed in a capelike coat by Dior, with knee-high Christian Louboutin boots.

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

MLK’s Daughter Bernice King Says Trump’s Inauguration On MLK Day is ‘Wonderful’

Sandra Rose
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MLK’s Daughter Bernice King Says Trump’s Inauguration On MLK Day is ‘Wonderful’
Carol Lee Rose/Getty Images

Martin Luther King Jr’s youngest daughter, Bernice King, says it’s “wonderful” that Donald Trump’s inauguration was held on the day celebrating her father.

The MLK federal holiday is celebrated on the third Monday in January each year, close to his birthday which is Jan. 15.

Trump was sworn in as the 47th president at his second inauguration in Washington, D.C. on Monday, Jan. 20.

“It’s wonderful that this occurs on the King holiday, the inauguration, because it reminds us of King,” Bernice King said on MSNBC’s “The Weekend” on Saturday.

Moneta Sleet Jr./UPI/Bettmann

Bernice, who was born in Atlanta, was just 5 years old when her father was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. Bernice is the youngest of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King’s four children. She is pictured with her mother at her father’s funeral in Atlanta.

Despite the racially charged controversy surrounding Trump, Bernice said his inauguration coinciding with her father’s holiday “points us back to King.”

“It says, ‘When we move forward, we’ve got to do it in the spirit of King,'” she said.

Curtis Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Bernice and her brother, Martin Luther King III, have been outspoken critics of Trump since his first presidential bid.

Trump’s inauguration was attended by former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez were among the Democrats who did not attend the inauguration ceremonies.

Inauguration Attendees Boo Former President Barack Obama (Video)

Sandra Rose
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Inauguration Attendees Boo Former President Barack Obama (Video)
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump supporters booed former President Barack Obama as he arrived at the Capitol Rotunda to attend President Donald Trump’s Inauguration ceremony in Washington, DC.

Trump supporters booed Obama and Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence as they both arrived separately. Mr. Obama smiled and held his head high as he walked in. But Pence hung his head as he entered the Rotunda.

Obama’s supporters expressed anger and outrage online.

One person wrote: “The disrespect they showed for the TWO TERM PRESIDENT Obama is flat out disgusting. You don’t have to like him, but to boo him just shows the level of division and lack of respect for our country. The US just hit a new moral low.”

Another person wrote: “Can’t believe they boo’d at Obama when he was walking in. Americans are lost and it shows. Trump will deal with you people anyways.”

A third person said, “Boo’ing Barrack [sic] Obama is disgusting. Ghetto and classless and just sets the tone what to expect from “those” people the next 4 years.”

It isn’t clear why the Trump supporters booed Obama. But Pence fell out with Trump over the controversy following the 2020 elections. Trump refused to concede the election to former President Joe Biden and he didn’t attend Biden’s swearing-in ceremony or inauguration events in 2021.

Biden and his wife, Jill, were in attendance at Trump’s Inauguration ceremony.

Obama’s wife, Michelle Obama did not attend, as she is under the weather according to reports.

On Friday, Mr. Obama shared a photo of himself with his wife at an unknown location on her birthday, Jan. 17.

He captioned the image: “Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama. You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor, and grace – and you look good doing it. I’m so lucky to be able to take on life’s adventures with you. Love you!”

Barack and Michelle Obama
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The Inauguration is traditionally held outside, but Trump moved the ceremonies indoors due to the cold weather and for safety reasons.

Trump’s wife, Melania, and his family watched as Trump was sworn in. The ceremony was attended by lawmakers from both chambers of Congress. But former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others stayed home.

Morning Glory: Kaitlen Howard (Miki Howard’s daughter)

Sandra Rose
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Morning Glory: Kaitlen Howard (Miki Howard’s daughter)
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images

Kaitlen Howard is the only daughter of Grammy-nominated R&B singer Miki Howard. Kaitlen is her mom’s twin! I met Kaitlin backstage at the For Sister’s Only Expo in Atlanta, Ga. in 1996.

Kaitlen: Take a picture of me with my mother.
Me: Who’s your mother?
Kaitlen: Miki Howard!

Sandra Rose/Sandrarose.com

Miki Howard is one of the all-time great R&B singers. She is best known for her hits “Come Share My Love” (1986), “Baby Be Mine” (1987), “Ain’t Nuthin’ In The World” (1989), “Love Under New Management” (1990), and “Ain’t Nobody Like You” (1992).

Miki is seen at left with Kaitlen in an undated photo.

Kaitlen grew up to be a singer and songwriter in her own right. She has recorded 1 ep and over 10 songs, including “My Room” (2022), “Lose Lose” (2020), “Rover Love” (2014), and “I Belong To You” (2021).

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Mom and daughter will perform together at The Sun Rose in West Hollywood on January 24, 2025.

Kaitlen is a single mother of 2 adorable boys. Miki often posts photos of her children and grandsons on her Instagram page.

Kaitlen is pictured below with her 2 sons in an undated photo.

Martin Luther King III says his father would be ‘quite disappointed’ with the world today

Sandra Rose
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Martin Luther King III says his father would be ‘quite disappointed’ with the world today
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Martin Luther King III says his father, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., would be “quite disappointed” with the world today.

King III made the statement on the eve of the federal MLK Day holiday, which is celebrated on the third Monday of January every year.

Stephen F. Somerstein/Getty Images

King appeared on NBC News’s “Meet the Press,” where he was asked about the state of the nation and what his father would think about the world today.

“He’d be quite disappointed, quite frankly, that we are where we are,” King replied. “Probably wouldn’t be surprised, but he certainly would be disappointed because he always infused energy that was positive, bringing out the best of who we as Americans are.”

King, a lifelong Democrat, continued: “Unfortunately, in great tragedy, we see the best of who Americans are. But when it’s over, we go back to our corners and live in bubbles and separate. We need to exhibit the behavior that we exhibit in tragedy universally, all the time.”

Donald Trump will be sworn in as the nation’s 47th President at noon on Monday, Jan. 20., and King said he hopes Trump will “be in dialogue with everybody.”

“If you really want to bring the nation together so that it is the manifestation of what we call ourselves, the United States of America, we’re not reflective of the United States of America right this moment, in my judgment,” King said.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

In this viral video from 1967, some people believe Martin Luther King Jr. was discussing reparations when he said, “We are coming to Washington to get our check.” The civil rights icon was assassinated a year later in Memphis, Tennessee.

The bitter cold weather in Washington, DC has forced the Inauguration ceremonies to move indoors for the first time in decades. The temperature in the U.S. Capitol is expected to be around 20-degrees with a dangerous wind chill factor in the single digits.

The parade, featuring the HBCU Mississippi Valley State University band, will also be held indoors – at a downtown arena on Monday.

Trump said that those who traveled to D.C. for the Inauguration can view the ceremonies in the Capital One Arena.

MLK Day parades have been canceled in Georgia after an arctic blast of air rushed in overnight bringing below zero wind chill factors.

Snow is possible this week in the Atlanta area for the second time this month.

Snoop Dogg and Nelly Defend Performing for Donald Trump

Sandra Rose
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Snoop Dogg and Nelly Defend Performing for Donald Trump
Snoop Dogg
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Black Twitter continues to drag rappers Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy for performing at President-elect Donald Trump’s pre-Inaugural event on Friday in Washington, DC.

Snoop, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy performed at the Crypto Ball hosted by former PayPal COO David Sacks. Trump, who promised to be the first crypto-friendly president, named Sacks as his “Crypto Czar.”

Videos of the performances went viral on social media. The reactions were a mix of disappointment and outrage.

In an old video from 2017, Snoop calls out “Uncle Tom” rappers who planned to perform for Trump at his 1st inauguration.

“Which one of you jiggaboo a*s ni**as gon’ be the first one to do it? I’m waiting. I’m gon’ roast the f*** out one of you uncle Tom a*s ni**as for doing it,” Snoop said.

However, Snoop had a change of heart in 2024. Snoop said he had “Nothing but love and respect” for Trump who granted clemency to Death Row Records co-founder Michael “Harry-O” Harris in 2017.

One person wrote on X (Twitter), “Snoop Dogg, Nelly, Soulja Boy, and Rick Ross are all supporting Donald Trump. Surely the culture will treat them the same way they tried to treat Drake by accusing him of being a Trump supporter with no proof right?”

Another person wrote: “Rick Ross called Drake a white boy all summer & Soulja boy said Drake went out sad yet these bozos on stage shucking & jiving for Trump.”

Rapper Nelly is set to perform for Trump at the Inaugural Liberty Ball on Monday, Jan. 20. Nelly defended his decision in the Jan. 18 episode of the “Willie D. Live” podcast.

Prince Williams/ATLpics.net

Nelly expressed disappointment that his fans judged him based on who he voted for.

“I’m not here to take up for Trump, I’m not here to take up for Republicans. I’m not here to take up for Democrats,” Nelly said, later adding, “Performing for somebody and voting for somebody is two different things. Endorsing people is two different things.”

“Am I a Trump supporter? I support the Office,” he continued. “I support the President of the United States, regardless of who’s in office. Regardless, I respect the Office.”

Nelly also challenged his fans to prove Trump is a white supremacist. Watch the video below.

TikTok Resumes Service After Trump Vows to Unban the App

Sandra Rose
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TikTok Resumes Service After Trump Vows to Unban the App
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TikTok shut down in America on Saturday night – a day before the U.S. ban was set to take effect. Distraught TikTok users flooded other social media apps to vent their anger and frustration.

Users who tried to log into TikTok on Saturday night were met with a pop-up that read: “Sorry, TikTik isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”

ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, then thanked President-elect Donald Trump who vowed to sign an executive order giving TikTok a 90-day extension on Monday.

“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!” ByteDance said.

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On Sunday, ByteDance posted a new message to users.

“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.”

Shortly afterwards, TikTok resumed service.

In a message on his Truth Social app, Trump confirmed that he will give TikTok a 90-day extension on Monday. He also said the U.S. will have 50% ownership of TikTok in a joint venture.

Donald Trump
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White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called TikTok’s service disruption “a stunt” to force Trump’s hand.

“We have seen the most recent statement from TikTok. It is a stunt, and we see no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump Administration takes office on Monday,” she said.

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“We have laid out our position clearly and straightforwardly: actions to implement this law will fall to the next administration. So TikTok and other companies should take up any concerns with them,” Jean-Pierre added.

President Joe Biden signed the law last April requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok to a U.S. buyer or face a complete shut down nationwide on Jan. 19.

Before departing office, Biden said he would leave TikTok’s fate in Trump’s hands.

However, X (Twitter) users reminded TikTok creators that it was Trump’s idea to ban TikTok in 2020.

The Internet mocks Angel Reese’s Unrivaled 3-on-3 debut (Video)

Sandra Rose
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The Internet mocks Angel Reese’s Unrivaled 3-on-3 debut (Video)
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

The first game of the newly launched Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league brought plenty of excitement and laughter on Friday.

Unrivaled is co-founded by Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier and two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty.

Angel Reese is a member of the Rose Basketball Club alongside WNBA stars Brittney Sykes, Lexie Hull, Chelsea Gray, and Kahleah Copper.

The team’s first game against the Vinyl Basketball Club came down to the wire with Vinyl winning 79-73. Reese finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds and five turnovers.

X (Twitter) users noticed Reese’s game hasn’t improved at all since her rookie season in the WNBA.

One WNBA fan said Reese could be a great player if she spent more time in the gym than she does twerking.

Another person wrote: “Reese finished with a Roses team-high 14 rebs, 5 turnovers and 4 fouls, shot just 3-of-7 (42%) from field — got benched for most of 4Q as Roses nearly came back to win on Elam Ending time. Same old Angel.”

A third person wrote: “She should be working on footwork and balance instead of three pointers. AR is an amazing rebounder but she’s out of control most of the time.”

In the first inaugural game, Collier’s Lunar Owls beat Stewart’s Mist 84-80.

The league’s launch “was everything we were hoping for,” Collier said after the game.

But fans say Unrivaled missed the star power of the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark. The Indiana Fever superstar decided to sit out the first season for much needed rest.

The six-team Unrivaled league runs two months before the championship game on March 17.

Will and Jada Smith’s $42 Million Calabasas Home Burns to the Ground

Sandra Rose
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Will and Jada Smith’s $42 Million Calabasas Home Burns to the Ground
Will Smith
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According to reports, actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith lost their sprawling $42 million mansion in the Los Angeles area wildfires.

The 25,000-square-foot adobe-style mansion, designed by Stephen Samuelson, was located in the star-studded Calabasas, California neighborhood where the Kardashians also own homes.

The death toll has risen to 27 and 31 people are reported missing after wildfires tore though Southern California.

Will Smith
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The estate was built in 2010 and boasted basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, a lake, and an outdoor Olympic sized pool.

The home’s grand entrance featured a hand-carved wooden door that was reportedly restored from a fort in Northern India.

The home’s amenities included nine bedrooms, a meditation lounge, pool room, home theatre, and a recording studio, where daughter Willow Smith recorded her hit single “Whip My Hair” at age 11.

Will Smith
Instagram

In this undated photo, Smith is seen working at his computer in his spacious home office.

Smith, who was reportedly on a business trip, flew back home when he learned his house was on fire. The house suffered extensive fire and water damage.

It isn’t clear if Jada still lived in the home following the news of their breakup in 2023.

Will’s social media accounts have been flooded with sympathy comments from followers. Some fans asked Will to confirm the reports about the devastating fire.

Will has not commented on the reports. His last Instagram post, dated Jan. 17, urged his followers to go see the comedy movie “One of Them Days,” starring Keke Palmer and SZA.

“Big congrats @keke @sza @issarae- Fantastic job on this one!! We really need these kinds of laughs right now [praying hands] thank you. Go see One of Them Days this weekend!!” Will wrote.

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