The pastor of one of the largest and most beloved ministries in the country has suddenly felt the intense blow-back for tossing some love in Donald Trump’s direction.
Joel Osteen, leader of Houston-based Lakewood Church and the author of multiple No. 1 New York Times bestsellers, ran afoul with some of the public and perhaps even a portion of his multiracial congregation when he characterized his relationship with Trump as a “friend” and called him “good man.”
“I’m not really up to speed on all the politics. I think it resonates … ‘Hey, maybe the country’s not where we should be — let’s get back to where we were,” he said. “Mr. Trump, he is an incredible communicator and brander like President Clinton said. He’d been a friend of our ministry. He’s a good man.”
Critics of Osteen’s compliment of the Republican presidential front-runner feel betrayed after Trump’s scathing words on such topics of illegal immigration and “punching” protesters at his rallies or disparaging words about women. And they lashed out at the Osteen. Take a look:
#JoelOsteen speaks highly of #Trump. I’m not surprised. But when it comes to entering the kingdom of God etc, my money is on the camel!
— Michael Coren (@michaelcoren) March 14, 2016
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All u Black ppl who flock to #JoelOsteen s church, now that he has revealed himself to be a suspected white supremacist, I bet u forgive him
— Tariq Nasheed (@tariqnasheed) March 15, 2016
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Scam artist #JoelOsteen endorses fellow scam artist #DonaldTrump…… And the rubes follow with glassy eyed fervor.
— S.K.P (@happyloner) March 14, 2016
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