Donald Trump made a controversial trip to attend the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson on Saturday afternoon, despite protests from many civil rights leaders. Following his comments, many critics weren't pleased with his remarks.

Trump on civil rights

For the better part of the last two and a half years, Donald Trump has come under fire for many of his policy proposals and reckless remarks. During his campaign for president, and since his election win over Hillary Clinton, the former host of "The Apprentice" has put forward ideas and policies that many say with hurt minorities in the United States.

From immigration reform to education changes, Trump claims to be the president for all Americans, though recent polling shows his approval rating is hovering around just 35 percent. Due to the backlash against him, many wondered what would happen when the White House announced that Trump would be attending the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Many civil rights leaders, like Democrat Rep. John Lewis, were vocal in their opposition to Trump's attendance, but that didn't stop the president from following through. As reported by NBC News on December 9, the president addressed those in attendance with a prepared speech.

Speaking at the opening of the historic civil rights museum in Jackson, Mississippi on Saturday, Donald Trump made sure to give remarks that were much different when compared to his campaign-style rally in Pensacola on Friday night.

"These buildings embody the hope that has lived in the hearts of every American for generations," Trump said of the museum, before bringing up his own "great success" in the state of Mississippi.

(Trump's addresses his own success in the video above)

Not stopping there, Donald Trump praised Martin Luther King Jr.

for his role in the fight for civil rights, going as far as claiming that he was "a man who I've studied and watched and admired for my entire life." "We want our country to be a place where every child, from every background, can grow up free from fear, innocent of hatred and surrounded by love, opportunity and hope," he added, in regards to the continued fight for equality.

Donald Trump also referenced "injustice" that has been done to many African-Americans over the years, saying he hopes the "future that is more just and is more free." "That's big stuff," he said, while adding, "Those are very big phrases, very big words." Despite his attendance, Trump didn't get the best response, with John Lewis and fellow Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson labeling the president's visit as an "insult" to the civil rights struggle.
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