‘Those Are Very Big Phrases, Very Big Words’: Trump Reads Speech at Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (Video)
“That’s Big Stuff, That’s Big Stuffâ€
Donald Trump attended the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum to read a speech early Saturday afternoon, just hours after urging Alabama residents to vote for accused child molester and known racist Roy Moore.
Following his latest endorsement of Moore, the president announced on Twitter that he was “heading to the great state of Mississippi at the invitation of their popular and respected Governor.â€
Heading to the great state of Mississippi at the invitation of their popular and respected Governor, @PhilBryantMS. Look forward to seeing the new Civil Rights Museum!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 9, 2017
The visit was denounced this week by Democratic U.S. Congressman John Lewis, one of the nation’s most-recognized civil rights leaders. Lewis opted not to attend the opening ceremony because of Trump, prompting the White House to criticize Lewis and his decision.
“President Trump’s attendance and his hurtful policies are an insult to the people portrayed in this civil rights museum,” Lewis said in a joint statement. “President Trump’s disparaging comments about women, the disabled, immigrants and National Football League players disrespect the efforts of Fannie Lou Hamer, Aaron Henry, Medgar Evers, Robert Clark, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner and countless others who have given their all for Mississippi to be a better place.”
CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller shared images of the president’s arrival and tour ahead of his speech:
Air Force One arrives in Jackson MS. Pres Trump to take part in grand opening of Mississippi Museums of History and Civil Rights. He pumps a fist stepping off his plane. pic.twitter.com/J606L10ATc
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 9, 2017
Pres Trump tours Mississippi Museum of Civil Rights, walking through exhibit on the Freedom Riders. pic.twitter.com/YT1weuXEqE
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 9, 2017
Once settled in, Trump delivered his prepared remarks. “The Civil Rights Museum records the oppression, cruelty, and injustice inflicted on the African-American community,†he read. “The fight to end slavery, to break down Jim Crow, to end segregation, to gain the right to vote, and to achieve the sacred birthright of equality.â€Â
Following applause, Trump adlibbed. “That’s big stuff,†the president said. “That’s big stuff. Those are very big phrases, very big words.â€
You can watch below:
Trump speaks at the dedication of the civil rights museum in Jackson, Mississippi: “That’s big stuff.” pic.twitter.com/EiC0WqPzD3
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) December 9, 2017
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