Prosperity preacher Joel Osteen is facing major backlash over remarks he made about Donald Trump nearly six months ago. While on a press run for his book, The Power of I Am: Two Words That Will Change Your Life Today, the senior Lakewood Church pastor called Trump “a good man.”
It all happened during an appearance on Fox News Radio’s Kilmeade & Friends last October. Brian Kilmeade played a clip of former president Bill Clinton sharing his thoughts on Trump while on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Kilmeade asked Osteen for his own two cents on Trump’s overall campaign message of making America great again.
Despite admitting he hadn’t been keeping up with politics, Osteen based his opinion on his personal relationship with Trump, saying,
“I think it’s simple to understand ‘make our country great again.’ but, again, I’m not really up to speed on all the politics. I think [the message] resonates to, ‘Hey, maybe the country is not where it should be. Let’s get back to where we were.’ Like you said, Mr. Trump is an incredible communicator and brander, like Mr. Clinton said. He’s been a friend of our ministry. He’s a good man.”
Even though the comments were made six months ago, and not an actual endorsement, the clip is just now resurfacing again and proving to be a problem for Osteen fans. Many went on Twitter to voice their displeasure.
https://twitter.com/jalylah/status/709414553591877633
https://twitter.com/teiganish/status/709402705672818689
Very disappointed in #joelosteen comments that Trump is a "good man." Politics and religion shouldn't mix. No longer a fan @JoelOsteen
— Crystal Brown (@msbrowntatum) March 14, 2016
Not a surprise that southern preacher/huckster Joel Osteen backed Trump. Southern preachers have been on the wrong side of history a lot.
— JP 🌴🌞 (@JPnMiami) March 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/KingHeiric/status/709411723791486976
Others, however, aren’t the least bit shocked by Osteen, who’s reportedly worth $40 million, speaking highly of Trump.
Joel Osteen is a televangelist who preaches the "prosperity gospel" and cares a lot about being famous, so of course he's with Trump.
— Jerrick White (@BostonJerry) March 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/Moreno/status/709397118734045184
Joel Osteen could turn St. Paul into an atheist.
— Harold Itzkowitz (@HaroldItz) March 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/looggaann/status/709411613393051653
There is NOTHING surprising about Joel Osteen praising Trump.
Their spiritual baseline is Prosperity.
— Daniel José Camacho (@DanielJCamacho) March 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/WittyDuchess/status/709416147385507841
https://twitter.com/BeStrongAllways/status/709399379657027586
Osteen has yet to comment.
Update: Osteen’s reps reached out to News One host Roland Martin after the preacher’s name became a top trending topic on social media. According to the reps, Osteen hasn’t endorsed anyone for president.
I was just sent this from @joelosteen’s office: “Contrary to the misinformation currently making the rounds on social media, Pastor Joel Osteen has not endorsed any candidate for President of the United States.”
(Via Fox News)