Trump’s Commencement Speech at Christian Liberty University
- By Elisa Meyer --
- 16 May 2017 --
Donald Trump spoke at Liberty University’s commencement over the weekend.
Trump devoted the majority of his first commencement address at the Liberty University to thanking the students[/tweetit] and their parents for the huge support he received from them. Even when Trump’s support among evangelicals was getting shaky, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., stood by the Republican, insisting his past does not reflect his present.
Trump’s Commencement Speech at Christian Liberty University[/tweetthis]
Needless to say, Liberty University played a key role in driving Trump to success, being one of evangelical Christianity’s most pivotal centers. Standing before a crowd of thousands of 2017 graduates and their parents, the President thanked those present and eligible for voting, as well as their parents, for having brought him to power.
The address had very obvious religious undertones. The president assured the students as long as he was in power, he would not let anyone tamper with their right to practice their faith openly. Referring to an executive order he signed which gives religious leaders more freedom of political speech, he reminded the crowd he did what he had promised to do. He also said the U.S. could be better only when Christians put their faith into action, obviously indicating his oncoming pro-Christian plans. He said, "In America, we don't worship government," adding, "We worship God."
Anyone else find it ironic that "mandatory attendance" is required at Trump's speech at "LIBERTY" University?
— Luisa Haynes (@wokeluisa) May 13, 2017
The speech also included general words of advice. Urging the students to take a stand for themselves, he reminded them that there was no reason to take a path they were not happy with just because of pressures from family and society. "You have to do what you love, or you most likely won't be very successful at it," he said, encouraging them to be themselves.
The president also expressed his distaste over the current controversies plaguing him at Washington, after he dismissed FBI director James Comey, saying "No one has ever achieved anything significant without a chorus of critics standing on the sidelines explaining why it can't be done," adding "Nothing is easier or more pathetic than being a critic, because they're people that can't get the job done.”