1. So there are some important things to unpack from Trump’s dinner w/evangelicals on Monday night, where someone leaked audio of Trump warning of leftist “violence” if GOP loses in Nov.
.@emmillerwrites and I offer context in our piece, but here’s more… religionnews.com/2018/08/28/whi…
.@emmillerwrites and I offer context in our piece, but here’s more… religionnews.com/2018/08/28/whi…
2. First, it’s worth noting Trump’s leaked remarks, as reported by NYT and others.
These remarks were simultaneously a little shocking and totally not. The language is eyebrow-raising, but Trump claiming to end the Johnson amendment or pushing evangelical turn out really isn’t.
These remarks were simultaneously a little shocking and totally not. The language is eyebrow-raising, but Trump claiming to end the Johnson amendment or pushing evangelical turn out really isn’t.
3. I will say I’m curious to know how exactly these evangelicals will, well, actually turn out folks for Trump.
e.g., Ralph Reed and Franklin Graham almost certainly have ideas for evangelical turnout (Graham is already touring). But Paula White? Jentezen Franklin?
e.g., Ralph Reed and Franklin Graham almost certainly have ideas for evangelical turnout (Graham is already touring). But Paula White? Jentezen Franklin?
4. Anyway, Trump’s “public” remarks (the ones the WH released and were filmed) also included wild claims, but mostly ones he’s made before.
Oh also when Trump says “attacks on communities of faith are over” and “we’ve ended it,” that is empirically false (and we noted it).
Oh also when Trump says “attacks on communities of faith are over” and “we’ve ended it,” that is empirically false (and we noted it).
5. Also worth noting how often Trump inaccurately conflated “religious” or “faith” when he appears to have been mostly referring to a specific group: conservative, primarily (but not entirely) white evangelical Christians.
Again, not new for him, but important to note.
Again, not new for him, but important to note.
6. Anyway, EQUALLY interesting were events SURROUNDING the dinner.
e.g., a slate of policy meetings between evangelical leaders and the WH. Paula White, arguably Trump’s closest spiritual adviser, told me this was normal when leaders were in town.
Evangelical access persists.
e.g., a slate of policy meetings between evangelical leaders and the WH. Paula White, arguably Trump’s closest spiritual adviser, told me this was normal when leaders were in town.
Evangelical access persists.
7. Finally, no one is saying this, but the audio leak COULD be a small break w/in evangelical ranks over Trump.
If the audio was leaked by an evangelical attendee, that may mean 1 of the 100 INVITED evangelical guests clandestinely recorded and leaked it to political reporters.
If the audio was leaked by an evangelical attendee, that may mean 1 of the 100 INVITED evangelical guests clandestinely recorded and leaked it to political reporters.
8. That may sound small, but remember: these leaders were hand-selected by the WH (and whatever individuals advised them).
And whoever did it appears to have known to hand it to political reporters and make it near impossible for Trump to avoid the news.
And whoever did it appears to have known to hand it to political reporters and make it near impossible for Trump to avoid the news.
9. Oh also: while the dinner itself WAS reportedly planned far in advance, it still ultimately functioned as an opportunity for evangelicals to publicly defend Trump after a week of really, really bad press.
e.g., Jeffress’ NPR interview. npr.org/2018/08/29/642…
e.g., Jeffress’ NPR interview. npr.org/2018/08/29/642…
10. Trump has leaned heavily on his evangelical supporters during times of crisis.
E.g., Charlottesville, initial Stormy Daniels reports, etc.
E.g., Charlottesville, initial Stormy Daniels reports, etc.
11. Anyway, there’s much more to unpack, and you can read all about it here! religionnews.com/2018/08/28/whi…
