Trump walks into the National Prayer Breakfast and flashes newspapers w/ giant headlines declaring his acquittal in Senate ... and now up is Nancy Pelosi
Pelosi praying for persecuted religious minorities around globe right now
Pelosi seemed to ignore Trump earlier when he was waving around the newspapers
A big theme of the prayer breakfast - unity and an end to division
Kevin McCarthy up now, says: “the lord works in mysterious ways. I do not think he could have picked a better day to bring us all together”
Keynote here before Trump talks is from @arthurbrooks
Kellyanne Conway dips in for a minute talking to some folks in crowd
.@arthurbrooks relays anecdote of his child’s struggles in school, Brooks’ wife says, “at least we know he’s not cheating” — Trump smiles at that one
Brooks theme: How do you love your enemy?
Brooks notes 2013 talk to conservative activists, he said that if they want to convince liberals of their viewpoint, show them love
Brooks says to bridge the divide, “make it personal” - “moral courage” is standing up to those who with you agree on behalf of those with which you disagree
Brooks: “I’ve been married to a Spaniard for 28 years” - notes that divorce is not sparked by anger, but contempt. “Contempt kills marriages. Contempt kills love ... we are like a couple on the rocks”
“How do we break the habit of contempt?” ... not through civility and tolerance. “The gospel of Matthew didn’t say tolerate your enemies”
Brooks assign homework: Ask God to take contempt from your heart, no eye-rolling or sarcasm. Go out looking for contempt ... missionaries find joy in rejection
Brooks: “run toward the darkness, bring your light”
Now up is Trump
Trump, “Arthur, I don’t know if I agree with you”
Trump, “my family, our country and your president have been put through a great ordeal by some very corrupt people”
After the Brooks speech, Trump is locked into impeachment. Trump says, “I don’t like people who use their faith to justify what is wrong. I don’t like people who say I’ll pray for you, when that’s not so”
“We have em all, we have allies, we have enemies. Sometimes the allies are enemies and we just don’t know it” ... Trump seems to be hinting at losing Romney and not poaching Manchin
“In everything we do, we promote religious freedom” Trump says
Trump now comparing himself to Washington at Valley Forge - “it reminds me of 2016, not many people thought we were going to win”
“At every stage, our nation’s march for Civil Rights was lifted up by prayer”
Standing ovation as Trump touts supporting prayer in schools
“We are upholding the sanctity of life” Trump says - applause is ardent from supporters and silent from others remaining seated. Trump adds, “You better get out there and vote on Nov 3”
Applause as Trump says, “we passed criminal justice reform and I signed it into law”
Up to now, the speeches and prayers had been focused on unity and healing. Trump shifts into touting victories and making his campaign pitch, asking everyone in room to vote Nov 3 (prayer breakfast is bipartisan)
“We are standing up for persecuted Christians and religious minorities all around the world,” Trump says
Pelosi seems to be keeping a pretty flat demeanor through this, looking at Trump but not reacting much
Trump telling story of Mt Pleasant Baptist Church in Louisiana, burned down by a “wicked, hate-filled” arsonist ... How people across America, world donated to rebuild the church
Cites Rev Gerald Toussaint (sp?) sermon that Easter Sunday that rebuilding was like a resurrection. “We’re gonna have a new start and it will be better than ever”
“We are in a fight, religion in this country, religion all over the world ... are under attack” Trump says. Adds he will protect religions of all stripes
“When they impeach you for nothing, then you’re supposed to like them, folks. I’m doing my best,” Trump says, to a few laughs throughout the crowd
Trump wraps saying God bless you, God bless America
Trump and Pence have left, strong performance by Cece Winans now - drawing some smiles from Pelosi, and standinf applause
Suozzi, “love your enemies is a tough message, not everybody seems to get it yet” - which gets some laughs thruout the room
