Falwell defends Trump endorsement

Jerry Falwell Jr. defended his endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump Wednesday afternoon in an opinion column posted by The Washington Post. Falwell’s announcement yesterday of his support for the billionaire businessman raised the ire of numerous alumni of Liberty University, where Falwell serves as president of the school.

“This was a personal decision of mine, and I know very well that Liberty has students with a wide diversity of political views, and I respect all of their opinions,” Falwell wrote.

Falwell explained his experience working alongside his father, Liberty University founder Jerry Falwell Sr., to save the school from financial ruin a couple of decades ago led to his endorsement of Trump.

“I believe the United States is now where Liberty University was in the early 1990s, and we need an experienced businessman who has bought troubled companies and turned them around, sometimes through bankruptcy laws,” said Falwell, who admitted his legal and business background influenced his decision. “In short, we need someone to bring this country back from the brink and make America great again in the same way that the right team of professionals helped make Liberty great again between 1987 and today.”

Falwell said he respects those who want to elect someone “who shares their constitutional views or someone who shares their faith instead of a business professional, but I cannot agree.”

In addressing concerns raised by alumni and other evangelicals about Trump’s character, Falwell continued to praise the GOP front-runner for his generosity and business acumen but glossed over Trump’s extramarital affairs and his belief that he does not need God’s forgiveness.

“Jesus said ‘Judge not, lest ye be judged,’” Falwell concluded. “Let’s stop trying to choose the political leaders who we believe are the most godly because, in reality, only God knows people’s hearts. You and I don’t, and we are all sinners.”