What we knew all along came true. MTV fucked up its Aretha Franklin tribute.

#VMAs: The Queen of Pop @Madonna pays tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin: "I want to thank you, Aretha for empowering all of us. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Long live the queen." pic.twitter.com/ugdxbr48Gz

— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 21, 2018

Rather than calling a Black woman to pay tribute to the Queen of Soul, the MTV Video Music Awards decided to pay tribute to Franklin by asking Madonna to talk about … .:checks notes:. … the time she sang “Natural Woman” at an audition.

Madonna spoke … at length … about what it was like to be a starving artist in New York City in the 1980s. She spoke about performing at the VMAs in 1984. You know who she didn’t speak about? Aretha! She put no “respect” on her name!

Plenty of people called out this tomfoolery on Twitter.

Madonna presents an Aretha Franklin tribute by Madonna featuring Madonna with Madonna and Madonna as “Madonna”

— Marc (@MarcSnetiker) August 21, 2018

Madonna ruined the Prince Tribute on the Billboard Awards in 2016.

Madonna ruined the Aretha Tribute on the #VMAs in 2018.

I really never want to see her again. Ever. pic.twitter.com/rp6QCql3aR

— April (@ReignOfApril) August 21, 2018

Is this story meant to honor Aretha, or Madonna, tho?

— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) August 21, 2018

Bruh somebody tell Madonna this ain’t about her.

— Ice (@OfficiallyIce) August 21, 2018

wow @ madonna's tribute to madonna

— Tiffany Vazquez 🇵🇷 (@filmiliarface) August 21, 2018

Ok…what is Madonna talking about??? #VMAs pic.twitter.com/KWwfOzkilU

— Global Grind (@GlobalGrind) August 21, 2018

Madonna is really on this stage making Aretha’s tribute about HER. pic.twitter.com/23x4tXc1ou

— Jordan (@jordansdiamonds) August 21, 2018

Did Madonna just make Aretha’s death about her?!

WHERE is Kanye when you need him?! #VMAs pic.twitter.com/3DcDrtPHIb

— The Root (@TheRoot) August 21, 2018

does Madonna know Madonna didn’t die

— Katie Nolan (@katienolan) August 21, 2018

Madonna… this is supposed to be about Aretha. This isn’t a documentary about you. #VMAs

— Nicholas Liddle (@NLiddle16) August 21, 2018

This ain't about Aretha at all. #VMAs

— Felonious Munk (@Felonious_munk) August 21, 2018

Girl, can you please talk about Aretha and not yourself. Lord

— K. Michelle (@kmichelle) August 21, 2018

MADONNA STOP pic.twitter.com/7csoeTfLzo

— 👾Octopath Mom👾 (@FirstKnivesClub) August 21, 2018

Me coming for whoever approved of Madonna doing the Aretha Franklin tribute. #VMAs pic.twitter.com/sX9UMhfuQB

— SHR3D (@AreYouR3ddy) August 21, 2018

is this white woman making Aretha Franklin’s death ABOUT HER??????

— Jules (@thecityofjules) August 21, 2018

We're not entirely sure how to feel about this #ArethaFranklin tribute from #Madonna. But, her truth is her truth. #VMAs

— theGrio.com (@theGrio) August 21, 2018

Madonna is this about you or Aretha? I’m confused….. #VMAS

— Kiki Hicks (@MissKikiHicks) August 21, 2018

Madonna celebrated her 60th birthday on the same day that Franklin passed away.