Faith in Trump dominates annual gathering of religious conservatives
4 Min Read
Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie is "boo-ed" by the crowd for bringing up former US President Donald Trump.
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Republican presidential candidate former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie waves to the audience during the Faith and Freedom Coalition Policy Conference in Washington, Friday, June 23, 2023. (AP)
In a report published by NBC News, it was said that former New Jersey governor, Chris Christie, said that he will be running for next year's presidential race because "Donald Trump let us down," however, this statement drew backlash from the audience as soon as Christie mentioned the former president.
He said he is running for president to try to end Trump’s political career, making him the only Republican in the field who has taken such an aggressive posture against Trump.
Christie said “You can boo all you want,” in response to boos and oos in the crowd.
The discussion was an eye-catching bit of political theater at a Washington Hilton event in front of hundreds of Christian conservative activists, but it also provided a clear assessment of the most committed portions of the Republican base: they are still all in for Trump.
#Trump's numbers don't look promising so far, as a new poll co-conducted by the Associated Press and the National Opinion Research Center based at the University of Chicago shows that #Americans generally disfavor a Trump comeback to the #WhiteHouse. pic.twitter.com/hKgcSbBB9B
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 27, 2023
Trump delivered the keynote address at the weekend's last event, the Saturday evening gala, touching on a wide range of hot-button issues, most of which were welcomed with a thunderous ovation from an attentive audience. "As we gather today, our beloved nation is teetering on the edge of tyranny," Trump said.
"Our enemies are waging war on faith and freedom, on science and religion, on history and tradition, on law and democracy, on God almighty himself." He took the stage to a huge ovation and chants of "USA, USA, USA."
Could Trump still be in the lead?
The majority of the other presidential candidates who spoke at the conference concentrated on their records and goals if elected, without mentioning Trump or any other candidate.
Common themes included parental rights in education, ensuring that the federal criminal justice system is not "weaponized" — a term Republicans have used consistently since Trump was indicted in connection with his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House — and abortion, which has long been one of the Faith and Freedom Coalition's major policy battles. “We are creating a culture of life in America,” Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina said. “And that is a really good thing.”
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Nikki Haley, the Trump administration's ambassador to the United Nations, claimed to be the "most pro-life governor in the country" while governor of South Carolina.
Even candidates who want the party to move on from Trump tried to tread lightly on the subject. Larry Elder, a conservative radio presenter who campaigned for governor against Democratic California Gov.
Gavin Newsom in 2021, said he still likes Trump but does not believe he is electable. “Have you lost friends because of Donald Trump?” he asked.
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“Are you walking on eggshells at work because of Donald Trump? Do you have strained relationships because of Donald Trump?"
Elder was arguing that swing voters will never support Trump and that Republican voters must "realize they need to coalesce around a candidate who is not [named] Trump but has the same America First policies as Trump," however, there was an overwhelming sentiment that those legal woes not only did not concern Trump's most ardent supporters but also those who challenge him will be "jeered and mocked."
“Chris Christie could not be here. I apologize,” David Brodie, a commentator with the Christian Broadcasting Network, joked when he opened a panel about media bias.
After around 15 minutes, he returned to the same laugh line to finish the panel.
“Chris Christie says hello,” he said.
