Reverend Al Sharpton was roasted online for posting a tone-deaf video of him strolling onto a private jet for a flight to Minneapolis to join George Floyd’s family at the end of ex-agent Derek Chauvin’s trial.
“Heading to Minneapolis to support the Floyd family as final arguments will be made today,” Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, wrote around 7:20 am Monday.
At a press conference in Times Square last week, the 66-year-old civil rights activist and MSNBC host said that Tyler Perry had offered him his private jet for the flight.
He said he had asked Gwen Carr – the mother of Eric Garner, who died in police custody on Staten Island in 2014 – to accompany him on a trip.
But Sharpton was soon approached online by social media users who criticized his out-of-touch message.
“I heard those planes cost a ton of unpaid taxes. How fast will the racing grifter leave town if the people there are no longer able to help him? ” @ JoshPSU97 wrote
“The hypocrisy in this video is hilarious. The Floyd and Taylor family said they didn’t see anyone or any money from BLM. Though the OG of getting rich is from the pain of others, ” @ JimmySm19971521 said in a tweet.
“Private jets for social justice. My God, America is rich, ”Jonah Goldberg, editor of The Dispatch wrote
Washington Times writer Jessica Chasmar asked: “And you thought it was appropriate to show off your private jet, because?”
Beth Baumann of the Daily Wire snarling wrote: “People still don’t realize that this guy is just a racing baiter. It’s sad because he’s rolling in the dough he’s made by exploiting others. “
Writer and producer Luke Rudkowski also took a broad swipe, to write: “I’m pretty sure this is the most unreachable tweet ever made in the history of tweeting.”
Others, meanwhile, offered more positive responses.
“He’s done more for the justice of black people than any of the naysayers here. We must protect this person. Stay safe Rev, ” @PenskiTeri wrote
“It’s amazing that we get along with entertainers flying both black and white privately, or if @TheRevAl were white, this would be acceptable,” @ Sonoftheking718 wrote
“Here’s a guy who puts his life on the line every day and the talk is how he travels #ingrates,” he added.
And @ Christo62052950 said: “See you Rev! Do your thing. Also absolutely hilarious that some get more upset about this dude walking to a private jet than Floyd getting killed. God bless America.”
Jurors who decided the fate of the former Minneapolis police officer in the alleged murder of Floyd closed their first day of deliberation on Monday.
The panel of 12 jury members will resume deliberation on Tuesday morning.
The Post has reached out to the National Action Network for comment.