Serial adulterer, accused rapist, fraudster and pathological liar Donald "Two Corinthians" Trump's foray today to a Florida "evangelical" megachurch suggests that, after his recent brutal takedown by Christianity Today, he's concerned about the support of right-wing Bible bangers who form a key part of his base. His host at the grandly-named "Jesus International Ministries" is an avaricious hustler by the name of Guillermo Maldonado, who naturally preaches the "prosperity gospel" that the wealthy are the "blessed" among us, and that everyone should be out chasing a dollar for Jeebus' (and his) sake. Maldonado has been avoiding the media lately, since the event is being questioned as a violation of the IRS code, which prohibits churches from engaging in overtly political events.
Interestingly, Maldonado's flock contains some undocumented immigrants, but the political preacher wants them to know that they'll be safe at the Trump rally, trust him:
“You don’t have to be a citizen. And I will give you an affirmation as your spiritual father and your pastor. First, someone said, ‘But how can you bring Trump to church if there’s people who don’t have papers?’ ” Pastor Guillermo Maldonado told his audience of hundreds, referencing Trump’s hard-line anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies.The jokes write themselves.
“I ask you: Do you think I would do something where I would endanger my people? I’m not that dumb.” (our emphasis)
(photo: Maldonado busy $hearing his flock. Charles Trainor/Miami Herald)
