I’m dying, over here.
While some feel President Trump fulfilled his promise to his evangelical community of supporters by his nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, they missed the part that he snuck in under the radar this week.
Trump signed on to Obama’s lingering executive order, which basically prohibits Christian businesses from participating in plum government contract positions, unless they bow to the gay lobby.
If that wasn’t enough to convince people that the whole “Christian” thing by Trump is simply for political optics, he further proved he has no connection to his evangelical base with a Thursday morning prayer breakfast performance, that saw him opening the event by talking about his favorite topics – himself, and ratings.
Trump noted his “tremendous success” as star of his reality shows “The Apprentice” and “Celebrity Apprentice,” as well as the latter show’s drop in ratings since he left.
“We know how that turned out. The ratings went right down the tubes. It’s been a total disaster” since the show restarted with Arnold Schwarzenegger hosting, Trump said.
“And I want to just pray for Arnold if we can, for those ratings,” he joked.
No, seriously. I don’t mean to suggest that every prayer meeting has to be somber and inundated with over-the-top ritualism. There’s always room for jovial fellowship. However, attacking someone for not being you doesn’t exactly set the tone for a prayerful event, does it?
Senate Chaplain Barry Black spoke earlier in the event, and he apparently did well. At least, he did well enough to prompt commentary from President Trump.
“I don’t know, chaplain, whether or not that’s an appointed position,” he said.
“Is that an appointed position? I don’t even know if you’re Democrat or if you’re Republican, but I’m appointing you for another year,” Trump said. “The hell with it.
“And I think it’s not even my appointment, it’s the Senate appointment, but we’ll talk to them. Your job is very, very secure.”
I don’t even know what to say about this. I wasn’t there to hear everything, of course, but I’m actually insulted by the tone Trump seems to have set for what was supposed to be a prayerful event.
And yes, I’m fully aware that Trump’s supporters will make excuses for him.
Not only are we in a “new” Republican party, but I guess we’re dealing with a “new” brand of Christian grace and humility, as well.
Schwarzenegger took to Twitter to give his own response to Trump’s preoccupation with ratings.
The National Prayer Breakfast? pic.twitter.com/KYUqEZbJIE
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) February 2, 2017
Something tells me Trump would take Arnold up on the offer, if there was any way to make that happen.
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