Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Jerry Falwell Jr.’s Trump endorsement draws objections from his late father’s confidant
The Washington Post ^ | March 1, 2016 | Phillip Rucker

Posted on 03/01/2016 2:20:45 PM PST by JSDude1

This story has been updated.

It was one of Donald Trump’s first powerful endorsements: Jerry Falwell Jr., who testified for many evangelical Christians that despite leading a life of excess, the thrice-married, trash-talking mogul was indeed a God-fearing president-in-waiting.

But Falwell’s plunge into presidential politics did not sit so well with intimates of his late father, Jerry Falwell Sr., nor with some at Liberty University, the Christian college in Virginia founded by the elder Falwell and now led by his son.

Mark DeMoss, who for many years served as chief of staff to Falwell Sr. and considered the televangelist a second father, said in an interview that it was a mistake for Falwell Jr. to endorse Trump. He said the Republican front-runner’s insult-laden campaign has been a flagrant rejection of the values Falwell Sr. espoused and Liberty promotes on its campus.

“Donald Trump is the only candidate who has dealt almost exclusively in the politics of personal insult,” DeMoss said. “The bullying tactics of personal insult have no defense — and certainly not for anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ. That’s what’s disturbing to so many people. It’s not Christ-like behavior that Liberty has spent 40 years promoting with its students.”

DeMoss, a public affairs executive with deep ties throughout the national evangelical community, sits on the board of Liberty University and chairs its executive committee. He said he has discussed his views about Trump personally with Falwell Jr. — “This appears to be something we’re just going to disagree on,” DeMoss said — but otherwise has kept his opinions private.

On Monday, however, with Trump poised for sweeping Super Tuesday victories, including in Virginia and in DeMoss’s home state of Georgia, DeMoss decided to break his silence in an interview with The Washington Post.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Politics/Elections; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: 2016endorsements; christianvote; demoss; evangelicals; falwell; libertyu; republican; trump; va2016
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-42 next last
Full Disc: I have personally graduated from Liberty U, and agree with Mr. DeMoss's criticisms of Donald Trump.
1 posted on 03/01/2016 2:20:45 PM PST by JSDude1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: JSDude1

Did WaPo dedicate an entire issue to Trump Bashing today?


2 posted on 03/01/2016 2:22:53 PM PST by digger48
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JSDude1
Mark's Father in Law Art Williams was only days from a Ponzi arrest when he sold his term life business for Billions and Trans America settle with the Justice Department

Mark is also partners with Lanny Davis

3 posted on 03/01/2016 2:24:56 PM PST by scooby321
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: digger48

They reported what someone said about Trump, and it resonates with a lot of people, including me. Sorry the truth bugs you so much.


4 posted on 03/01/2016 2:26:29 PM PST by Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears ("There's always free cheese in a mousetrap." - Marine Col. Peter Martinow)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: JSDude1

Confidant?

That’s sketchy.


5 posted on 03/01/2016 2:27:33 PM PST by Eddie01
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears

Truth doesn’t bother me.

Which still has nothing to do with my comment. thank you.


6 posted on 03/01/2016 2:27:37 PM PST by digger48
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: JSDude1
In the last few minutes, Sean Hannity (on radio) has interviewed one of Trump's kids, who was all upbeat and positive, and Ted Cruz, who sounded desparate and out of his mind spitting bile and venom. I think one reason many Chistians are shying away from Cruz is because they do not consider going around with one's head exploding with hatred and rage to be Christ-like behavior.
7 posted on 03/01/2016 2:27:38 PM PST by snarkpup ("The greatest Secret in Politicks is, to drive the Nail that will go." - John Trenchard)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JSDude1

“DeMoss said — but otherwise has kept his opinions private. “

The good news is they are still private thanks to the WaPo readership numbers.


8 posted on 03/01/2016 2:27:55 PM PST by patq
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: scooby321

So because of these tangential connections, whatever his opinion of Trump is meaningless I suppose. Right?


9 posted on 03/01/2016 2:27:59 PM PST by Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears ("There's always free cheese in a mousetrap." - Marine Col. Peter Martinow)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: scooby321

I am a conservative Republican and an evangelical Christian. I launched the Civility Project on the eve of Barack Obama’s inauguration. I asked Davis, who is a liberal Democrat and Jewish, to join me in the effort.


10 posted on 03/01/2016 2:28:14 PM PST by scooby321
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: JSDude1

This is nothing. I heard that the spirit of Danny Kaye came back from the dead today and said that he mistrusted Trump.

He wasn’t sure why, but he had heard echoes of some unkown person saying that Trump is a Fascist. Perhaps it was Mussolini.


11 posted on 03/01/2016 2:28:37 PM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: scooby321

That pretty well sums it up, lanny davis


12 posted on 03/01/2016 2:28:44 PM PST by easternsky
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: scooby321
Mark's Father in Law Art Williams was only days from a Ponzi arrest...

So we're now responsible for the conduct of our in-laws? God help us.

13 posted on 03/01/2016 2:29:57 PM PST by semimojo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: JSDude1

Looks like we have another Ron Reagan, Jr. on our hands.


14 posted on 03/01/2016 2:31:06 PM PST by JediJones (TRUMP 6/18/2012 on Fox News: "We have to show some compassion. We just can't throw everybody out.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JSDude1

Is this really a news story? Someone’s opinion of someone’s son opinion of someone else and their father?
BS FAUX NEWS.... another reason why the country is so fed up with business as usual.


15 posted on 03/01/2016 2:33:20 PM PST by Randall_S (Let's sink some ships.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JSDude1
Falwell Jr's was among the best endorsements money can buy.

He was on Hannity shortly before his announced his choice, unwisely crowing about a significant surprise contribution Trump had made to Liberty College some time back.

16 posted on 03/01/2016 2:33:54 PM PST by skeeter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JSDude1

“The bullying tactics of personal insult have no defense — and certainly not for anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ.”


“You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?”

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.”

“And said to them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves.”

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity.”


17 posted on 03/01/2016 2:35:14 PM PST by Psalm 144 (Interesting times. Someday, around the cave campfire, knapping flints, we'll all laugh about this.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: snarkpup

I’m sorry I missed it. Had to turn it down and it was over when I could get back to it. I did hear DT Jr. though, and he is quite personable.


18 posted on 03/01/2016 2:37:37 PM PST by Psalm 144 (Interesting times. Someday, around the cave campfire, knapping flints, we'll all laugh about this.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears

Considering its Super Tuesday, yep. Huge nothing burger. The time to mention it would have been when Trump was endorsed by Jerry Jr. Then it might have held some value. Not much but some.

Hope you’re having a wonderful Super Tuesday!


19 posted on 03/01/2016 2:37:49 PM PST by TheStickman (If we don't elect a PRO-America president in 2016 we lose the country!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: JSDude1

Wow! /s


20 posted on 03/01/2016 2:38:00 PM PST by stocksthatgoup (My first choice is Trump 4 economics and Not a Politician . Cruz to endorse Rubio Stay Home)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-42 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson