Wearing cowboy hats bejewelled with “Free Trump” brooches and waving American flags, evangelical Christians promised to vote for Donald Trump at a key gathering on Saturday, saying that, while he is not perfect, “he’ll do the right thing for America”.
Trump was the keynote speaker at the Faith & Freedom Coalition in Washington DC, a gathering of politically influential conservative Christian activists who campaign for strict abortion regulations and a tougher stance on the southern border. There, he called on his religious supporters to go to the polls in a speech that notably glossed over abortion, which has become a sensitive issue for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
Trump joined a slew of speakers including Republican senators, governors, and congressmen and women, among them newly appointed Republican national committee chair Michael Whatley. On stage, he drew cheers from the crowds as he applauded a divisive law signed in Louisiana last week requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom.
“Has anyone read the ‘Thou shalt not steal’? I mean, has anybody read this incredible stuff? It’s just incredible,” Trump said to a room that erupted into ecstatic applause. “They don’t want it to go up. It’s a crazy world.”
The day before, the former president had posted his enthusiastic praise for the new law on his social media network, writing in capitals: “I LOVE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, AND MANY OTHER PLACES, FOR THAT MATTER.”
Denne historien er fra June 24, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 24, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
How Blade: Trinity became Marvel's biggest disaster
As 'Deadpool & Wolverine' pokes fun at the the pre-MCU era of comic book movies, Adam White explores the tortured production of the final Blade film - from an allegation of strangulation to the long-lasting feud between its stars
Smith denied maiden Test century in exciting match
Jamie Smith came within touching distance of a first Test century at Edgbaston to help set England on course for a clean sweep in their series against the West Indies.
Peaty faces tough rival for third successive gold medal
Adam Peaty gave a simple message before the latest step of his 100m breaststroke defence: bring the A-Game. And although not yet looking the same force as three years ago, the Olympic champion remains the one to beat as he cruised into tonight's final in Paris. A shot at history now awaits, as Peaty bids to become only the second male swimmer after Michael Phelps to win the same event at three successive Olympics.
Henderson wins time trial cycling silver despite deluge
Anna Henderson powered to a stunning silver in a Parisian deluge yesterday just two months after she feared her Olympic dreams might be over.
Far-right Orban claims EU is at risk of 'self-destruction'
Viktor Orban has claimed the European Union is sliding toward oblivion, in a rambling anti-Western speech in which he warned of a new, Asia-oriented \"world order\". Hungary's nationalist prime minister also expressed support for Donald Trump's presidential bid.
Lammy urged to halt Cuba aid as its troops help Putin
US congressman calls support 'ludicrous' due to Ukraine war
Israeli airstrike kills 'at least 30' at a school in Gaza
Military claims it had targeted a Hamas command centre
Paedophile who threw boy off 100ft cliff is jailed for life
A paedophile who pushed a boy off a 100ft cliff to prevent him from revealing that he had raped a young girl has been jailed. Anthony Stocks launched a calculated plan to kill the 10-year-old by taking him to a set of cliffs at Ovingdean, near Brighton, in September 2022, leaving his victim with lifelong injuries.
New footage shows chaos before man kicked in head
New video footage has emerged showing the run-up to a now-viral scene from Manchester airport in which a police officer kicks a man in the head.
The 7,000-calorie diet and killer training that wins gold
Great Britain's 200m freestyle Olympic champion Tom Dean takes Jack Rathborn through his extraordinary daily regime
