MSNBC’s Joy Reid wasn’t exactly a fan of the animated prayer that took place during Donald Trump’s inauguration.
In fact, she called it “over the top” and “quite performative,” particularly when Reverend Lorenzo Sewell, who gained attention after hosting Trump at his Detroit church, took the stage. Sewell had made waves after leading a roundtable with Trump in 2020, but Reid wasn’t sold on his fiery prayer.
“I’m not sure what the point was,” she said, referring to the moment which she described more as a “speech” than a prayer.
The benediction, to say the least, was quite patriotic and leaned heavily in favor of Trump. Sewell made several nods to Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, possibly because the inauguration coincided with the national holiday honoring the civil rights leader.
Sewell prayed that “America would begin to dream again,” referring to Trump as the one who would make that happen. He also spoke passionately about the nation living in a place where “we will not be judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character.”
And in a bold moment, Sewell even referenced Trump’s “millimeter miracle,” calling attention to his near-assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Throughout his prayer, Sewell raised his hands and spoke loudly, which some praised as full of passion. But others, well, didn’t hold back. One commenter on X (formerly Twitter) called it a “minstrel show,” while another blasted Sewell as an “embarrassment to himself, his family, and our nation.” The second post even slammed Sewell for mocking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during such a significant event.
Interestingly, Sewell has openly shared his personal transformation. Once a “street pharmacist” (yes, a drug dealer), he claims to have had a powerful experience with Jesus that led him to become a reverend.
Despite claiming not to align with any political party, Sewell’s actions since have hinted at a strong connection to conservative politics. He led a prayer at the Republican National Convention and even recently stated that “it’s impossible for pastors and Christians to be politically ‘neutral.’” He also made it clear that while he didn’t think all Democrats were “demonic,” he believed their platform certainly was.
Whether you agree or disagree with Sewell’s message, one thing’s for sure—his prayer during Trump’s inauguration certainly sparked a heated conversation.
