As the guests made their way into the US Capitol's rotunda, King remarked, "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? I'm fascinated by why that is?" Her comments came as the nation observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday honoring the civil rights leader who championed equal rights for black Americans until his assassination in 1968.
According to the Daily Mail, conservative journalist Megyn Kelly criticized King's comments, noting, "Gayle King on CBS is questioning why there aren’t more 'ppl of color' at the inauguration. Of course." This sentiment was echoed by others who accused King of engaging in identity politics. One individual commented, "Always straight to identity politics, it's all they have," while another lamented the divisive nature of such debates, urging a focus on unity and the peaceful transition of power. Some even went as far as to label King as "unbelievable" and "evil," accusing her of stirring controversy due to her alleged disdain for Trump.
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Despite the criticism, it was noted that several prominent people of color were present at the event. Former President Barack Obama was a notable attendee, though his wife, Michelle Obama, was absent amid rumors of marital strife and her known disapproval of Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris, born to an Indian mother and Jamaican father, was also in attendance. Additionally, Usha Vance, the wife of incoming Vice President JD Vance, is of Indian heritage and will assume the role of Second Lady.
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Nevertheless, some observers sided with King's perspective, pointing out the predominantly white composition of the guest list, which included tech moguls like Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and UFC CEO Dana White. One viewer remarked, "Seeing Zuckerberg, Bezos, White, Musk, billionaire tech tycoons, that guy that owns all of Vegas - all tightly packed in for the inauguration - and NO POC [people of color] IN SIGHT - just sets a really icky tone for the next 4 years. ICKKKY." Another echoed the sentiment, noting the scarcity of people of color at the event.
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In his inaugural address, Trump vowed to usher in a "new golden age of America," declaring, "The decline is over," to an audience of approximately 600 allies, dignitaries, and family members. He emphasized a vision of optimism while reiterating his belief in being targeted by a politicized justice system, promising to restore balance to "the scales of justice." Furthermore, Trump pledged to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government. Proponents of DEI argue that these initiatives address historical racism faced by black and other non-white Americans, while critics contend they unfairly discriminate against whites and Asians.
