Donald Trump scales back black pastor endorsement event to a private meeting
After Donald Trump's campaign announced he would receive the endorsements of 100 black pastors, over 100 black religious leaders responded in an Ebony op-ed urging their colleagues to abstain from any such endorsement. Now, Trump's campaign has considerably scaled back what had looked to be a major event for their candidate.
While the 100 pastors are still meeting with Trump on Monday, some have since said they're unsure if they support the candidate. Moreover, the meeting will no longer be a news conference but an "informal meet-and-greet" — behind closed doors.
"This is not a press event, but a private meeting, after which, a number of attendees are expected to endorse Mr. Trump's campaign for president," Trump's spokeswoman explained in an email to The New York Times. Darrell Scott, an Ohio pastor who put together the event, added that the initial reports that the meeting would be a splashy event were the result of a "miscommunication on my part."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Recently, Trump came under harsh criticism for suggesting that a Black Lives Matter protestor who was punched and kicked at one of his campaign rallies in Alabama "maybe [...] should've been roughed up."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
How are ICE’s recruitment woes complicating Trump’s immigration agenda?TODAY’S BIG QUESTION Lowered training standards and ‘athletically allergic’ hopefuls are getting in the way of the White House plan to turn the Department of Homeland Security into a federal police force
-
What is a bubble? Understanding the financial term.the explainer An AI bubble burst could be looming
-
France makes first arrests in Louvre jewels heistSpeed Read Two suspects were arrested in connection with the daytime theft of royal jewels from the museum
-
Trump vows new tariffs on Canada over Reagan adspeed read The ad that offended the president has Ronald Reagan explaining why import taxes hurt the economy
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
