GOP donor argues Christians should support Donald Trump because 'one of the gifts Jesus gave us was forgiveness'

(Image credit: Andrew Goodman/Getty Images)

published 1 November 2016

In an interview Tuesday morning on CNN, wealthy GOP donor Foster Friess explained why supporting Donald Trump — who has been married multiple times and has bragged about grabbing women by the genitals — is actually very compatible with Christian values. "I don't think [Christian voters] should be conflicted if they're really embracing their Christian values," said Friess, in a pitch to win over Christians shying away from supporting the Republican presidential candidate because of his controversial comments.

Friess argued that because "one of the gifts Jesus gave us was forgiveness," the Christian thing to do would actually be to forgive Trump for his past sins. "What value is our Christian faith if we don't forgive someone who's seeking to move forward?" Friess said, noting the "whole message of Christianity here is evident in Donald Trump's progress, where you look at where he was 10 years ago and where he is today, we have to be excited about that."

Friess must have missed that time in July when Trump asked CNN's Anderson Cooper, "Why do I have to repent or ask for forgiveness, if I am not making mistakes?"