Just a week after the death of Billy Graham, the controversial Christian pastor was laid to rest. Donald Trump attended the funeral and decided to say a few words on Twitter. which resulted in predictable criticism.
REST IN PEACE BILLY GRAHAM! pic.twitter.com/2qMoUccVC2
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 2, 2018
Trump on Graham
Not long after Donald Trump announced his plans to run for president back in the summer of 2015, many wondered if he'd be able to get enough support from the religious right. After winning the GOP nomination, Trump quickly selected Indiana Gov.
Mike Pence to be his running mate. With Pence known for being highly religious, it appeared to be a smart move by Trump who needed conservative Christians to rally by his side. In addition, Trump spoke highly of Billy Graham who has been a mainstay in the Evangelical movement for decades.
Trump joins mourners at funeral of U.S. evangelist Billy Graham https://t.co/3cVxyMr8gn pic.twitter.com/xFOFjZMZpB
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) March 2, 2018
Following Billy Graham's death late last month, Donald Trump made sure to send out several tweets in praise of the deceased reverand, which he doubled down on while heading to the funeral on March 2. "REST IN PEACE BILLY GRAHAM!" Trump tweeted out, while posting several pictures of himself and others at the service.
"Heading to Billy Graham funeral. A Special Man!" Trump added in a follow-up tweet that was quickly deleted due to the fact that the funeral had taken place hours earlier.
Today we honor Billy Graham as only three private citizens before him have been honored.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2018
We say a prayer for our country: that all across this land, the Lord will raise up men and women like Billy Graham to spread a message of love and hope to every precious child of God. pic.twitter.com/EM4lZUZpX9
Like Trump, Billy Graham was surrounded by controversy over the years, with critics accusing him of being a religious extremist and con-artist who abused his power to take advantage of impressionable people through religion.
However, supporters put him on a pedestal, often citing his quotes and agenda to help craft their own political positions which only increased over the years.
Instant backlash
Following his tweet, Donald Trump was met with mockery for praising a Christian man despite his own history of controversy and scandal. "Perhaps something will be said during his funeral that will convict you of your bigotry, sexism, narcissism, demagoguery, and evil Trump.
We can only hope!" Bishop Talbert Swan tweeted out.
He was a homophobic anti-semite. But then again, so are you.
— Emotional Support Peacock (@kayteterry) March 2, 2018
Why didn't you go to any of the parkland victims funerals???
— sam (@swarnoxk03) March 2, 2018
Hell no, we don't want him staying here in Charlotte! The quicker he's out, the better!
— The Bammer (@Bam_Bam_Gigolo) March 2, 2018
"Why didn't you go to any of the parkland victims funerals???" a Twitter user read. "He was a homophobic anti-semite. But then again, so are you," an additional tweet went on to read. "So you’ll go to his funeral, but not the funerals of kids who were shot in their school? Interesting priorities," a follow-up tweet stated.
a crook and conman just like u!!!
— mushroom_slim (@mushroom_slim) March 2, 2018
Special kind of bigot, conman, & grifter, just like you!
— Ray Faulkner (@Rayfaulkner1) March 2, 2018
So you’ll go to his funeral, but not the funerals of kids who were shot in their school? Interesting priorities
— Megan Short (@megan_yaukey) March 2, 2018
"Special kind of bigot, conman, & grifter, just like you!" a social media user wrote. "A crook and conman just like u!!!" yet another read. The negative reaction continued as the opposition to Donald Trump showed no signs of coming to an end.
