https://youtu.be/6Nj3sLkfDWE
After Prince’s untimely passing on Thursday, fans are busily admiring his fondness for zapping bullsh*t and remembering his enduring pop culture influence. MTV paid tribute with a day full of actual music videos, and radio stations across the world are still playing marathons.
Cable news hasn’t fared as well with tributes. During the breaking phase of Prince’s death, Wolf Blitzer memorialized the Purple One with an on-air gaffe. On Friday, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough remembered Prince by comparing him to divisive Republican candidate Donald Trump. The show’s panel agreed that Trump is similarly “nimble” and the titular Joe spoke of their shared “flexible” nature. Scarborough added even more:
“[Trump’s] like Prince — a shape-shifter, New York Times top left, election 2016, ‘Trump’s views on gay issues set him apart on the GOP.’ Trump on social issues, on Planned Parenthood, when he was in the middle of the fight in South Carolina — it wasn’t like he was hiding things. So Hillary is going to be up against a guy that not only says we’re not going to cut Social Security, (but) I’m with you on social issues. And by the way, we’re going to kill ISIS in two weeks.”
A bit of a stretch, yes? Trump is a disorganized candidate who haphazardly switches course. Most recently, he did so to differentiate himself from his biggest rival, Ted Cruz, by verbalizing an LGBT-friendly perspective. Cruz has definitely noticed and already fired back with a campaign ad that condemns Trump’s softened stance on bathroom bills. A candidate who can’t make up his mind has little in common with a visionary artist.
Just FYI: Prince recorded a 1990 song titled “Donald Trump (Black Version),” which was never released and contained lyrics about “a money man” who “fulfills your every wish, your every dream.” The song referred to a rich guy who can win anything he wants, regardless of love or true intents. Prince, ever the prophet.
Also, the internet wasn’t thrilled to hear Morning Joe favorably compare a shouty man to an ethereal god.
https://twitter.com/tracyealy1/status/723488996391829504
@Morning_Joe just compared Donald Trump to Prince. Please cancel this show. Everyone on this nightmare should be embarrassed. #morningjoe
— robin ruttle (@robinruttle) April 22, 2016
@JoeNBC just compared Trump to Prince. I swear Dave Chappell writes for #morningjoe. Pure comedy each morning.
— ReggieSpeaks (@ReggyN) April 22, 2016
Good grief, ad this to @Morning_Joe list of asinine stupid. #Trump is a charlatan no comparison to Prince. https://t.co/sMuQUFTovu
— 💙 🟧 VOTE BLUE, SAVE WOMEN & DEMOCRACY 🦾🌊 (@6nsinvt) April 22, 2016
You @Morning_Joe compared Trump to Prince. Shame on you.
— Kentucky Kirby (@LKteacher129) April 22, 2016