Trump Stands By Claim that ‘Most’ Black Pastors Endorse Him

Trump’s campaign initially had billed the event as a meeting at which he would receive the endorsement of the religious leaders, but his camp backtracked and canceled a planned news conference as some black pastors sharply criticized Trump’s campaign statements.

“You know what’s amusing, when people go after me, they go down the tubes”, he said before pointing toward Democrat John Kasich and fellow Republican Bobby Jindal. Bruce LeVell, who has served as party chairman in suburban Atlanta’s Gwinnett County, announced his endorsement, drawing roars from Trump’s backers.

“It’s a miscommunication”, said Darrell Scott, the senior pastor of New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, who has helped to arrange meetings between Trump and black pastors in recent months.

The meeting was originally only supposed to last one hour but was extended to three, “This meeting was unbelievable. I’ve heard Paterson. It was 14 years ago”, Trump said.

Scott said several of the pastors endorsed Trump while others said they would go home and pray on their best course of action. We had a wonderful time, a wonderful dialogue, wonderful fellowship, wonderful interaction. “To me all lives are very important”, says Trump. Trump said Monday night to a crowd of about 5,500 at a rally in this central Georgia town, located about 85 miles south of Atlanta.

The New York Times, reporting on that meeting, suggested the GOP frontrunner wants to confront skepticism about his candidacy and project sensitivity about minority concerns.

“Mr. Trump realizes why Black people are going to vote for him”, Harlem pastor James Manning told reporters.

“The fact is people can say whatever they like”, Christie said Monday while campaigning.

Bishop George Bloomer of Durham, North Carolina said it’s too early to endorse Trump. Herman Cain, a black business executive and radio host who ran for president in 2012, was among those introducing Trump.

Asked for his reaction, Trump said: “He’s got to say that”.