President Donald Trump and Jerry Falwell Jr. share the stage during a commencement at Liberty University, May 13, 2017, in Lynchburg, Virginia. | Alex Wong/Getty ImagesAfter shocking many in the evangelical movement by endorsing Donald Trump over other Republicans for the 2016 presidential nomination, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr.
Liberty’s actions, detailed for the first time by POLITICO, suggest the university is pushing the boundaries of its status as a nonprofit organization under section 501c of the federal tax code, which forbids spending money on political campaigns. Liberty’s actions also go well beyond the traditional role of a university as a politically neutral institution of higher learning.
“The board is split,” said one person in contact with board members. “There are those who want the school to be part of the conservative political conversation.” Swallow Prior said she has contacted two board members about the Falkirk Center, but received no response. “It’s not just about voting in one candidate over another. It’s really about the future of this country,” said Falkirk director Ryan Helfenbein, a former Liberty vice president of communications who previously worked for former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, a Republican.
In the days following the election, the Falkirk Center and its fellows repeatedly distributed information on instances of alleged voter fraud, which have not proven to be true. The Falkirk Center has devoted three of its in-house podcast's seven episodes since the election to the issue, including one featuring Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and another featuring Jesse Morgan, a postal service contractor in Pennsylvania who said he witnessed election fraud.
Evangelical roots. Please. Stay out of politics.
How about just educating student, instead of radicalizing young people with fairly tales and politics of greed.
Agent Orange.
They should lose their non profit status, separation of church and state. Need to start paying fed taxes too
1st Clean the house from the perverts .
They need to close their doors. They tried to make the profane holy. They tried to bless an unrepentant dinner.
Return to education. That's what a college should do best.
YOU MEAN 'WHITE SUPREMACIST, RACIST, BIGOTED, 'NEO-NAZI' 'CONSERVATIVE B.S.' POLITICS OR ITS 'HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE CHRISTIAN EVANGELICAL' ROOTS. WHATEVER - WOULD IT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE SINCE THEY REFUSE TO LOOK INTO A 'REVEALING MIRROR'
Bankruptcy and dissolution,.
Shut that fake college down. Just like every evangelical business and church, it’s just there to steal from people looking for some hope but finding nothing but hate.
There is nothing evangelical about those who refer to themselves as such; as they have always been, they are just southern white resist baptists.
Or focus on education? 🤷🏽♀️
Drain the swamp. And he said is a religious person? I would like to know what Jesus could say about his behavior.
Get back to spreading the word of God instead of the word of Trump.
If you think of Jerry Falwell Jr. as Commander Fred Waterford, the evangelicals fawning over the Orange Mussolini makes perfect sense.
Pick your poison, bro
cdorobek MAGA vs Jesus .. not a tough one, guys.
How do they maintain not-for-profit status?
Separation of church and state anyone?
Lately, what’s the difference?
Separation of church and state... that ring a bell?
Why isn't Liberty University paying taxes on that money?
what were the politics of Jesus.
Falwell and Trump both debauch and immoral characters. Forget about their politics. Their character is immoral. LibertyU
Refocus!
Go back to the Word of God and nothing but the Word. Get out of politics! Period!
All religions should stay the fuck outta politics. Their business is people, saving souls, comforting the poor & needful. They sure as shit don't belong anywhere they can tell people who don't subscribe to their beliefs that everyone must adopt their religious dogma.
I wish we could take a national census survey that asks you to explain how to found your job based on various option: A. straight out of college B. Networking C. Family (parent/relative) D. Friend E. Online/paper application F. Soliciting HR of company
A focus on Jesus Christ instead of amoral politicians and political operators would be nice.
Church cult of 👿 evil🇺🇸
How about don’t bother with scams
TomArnold So either way, not even pretending to be a school anymore then
how about... just be a school 🤷🏼♂️
TomArnold They always appear to be so moral except when they're not
The Devil University
Separation of Church and State, no brainer focus your efforts on god’s word and his son’s empathy for all he died on the cross for. The meek shall inherit the earth. GOPBetrayedAmerica TrumpLiedPeopleDied
TomArnold Suckas!!!
TomArnold What should be next is taxing them at 100%
You want your resume to get tossed? Put Liberty 'University' on it.
You’re a religious institution, not a political one. So do religious stuff.
This was a failure of so-called Christians within the GOP, and led to the worst deception and failures of the American people. Go away and find a way to care for all. = Save the jaguar
Perhaps they could help fight the TrumpVirus
Two fake presidents heading up two fake universities! Hope they both go to two real prisons! 😆
TomArnold What’s the pool boy say
What Thought they were the same
TomArnold
TomArnold Close it
The snark below aside, there can be a clear line between practicing one's faith and trying to apply that faith to politics. There are many evangelical Christians with integrity. If you don't know any you need to get out more.
I’m pretty sure nobody would miss this “university” if it just disappeared
Liberty University should swear off politics forever and focus instead on Matthew 25
Keep it up Liberty! It will make taxing churches so much easier. If you want to participate in the the political arena, fine. Give up your tax exempt status.
How about just focus on the Gospel of Jesus rather than money and politics. How can any Christian person follow a party the former party of Lincoln that is the antithesis of what Jesus preached. How can any Christian person follow leaders who are no better.
Hmmm...does pile of feces A taste better than pile of feces B...
All of the president's men are crooks!
To hell with them
Well, after they all get out of prison, maybe they can organize a church.
Uhhh get the hell out of politics
Well let’s see. The guy who runs it likes to watch his wife get it on with the pool boy. And maybe he gets it on with him too. How about they call LU what it is — a sham tax fraud.
they join us in the 21st Century?
I mean who gives a shit
A bowl game
Evangelicals are the most anti-Christian out there. Literally nothing Christian about them.
Where's the Hypocrisy emoji when you need it? This is why republicans hate education , can't sell this shit to smart people. 😜 MAGA GOP 🤮
like hookers?
IM SURE HE PAID FOR TRUMPS RUSSIAN HOOKERS WITH HIS DONATIONS OR HELPING HIM PAY STORMI LEGAL FEES
Now do one on Omar directing millions of campaign funds to her husband's business.
vandusen_cheryl It wasn't his money it all belonged to his foolish parishioner's. And their belief in a fake god of his design. For his own gain.
CLOCK TIKATAKA 45 🥳🥳🥳
Sucker. 🤡👎🏻
Corrupt 🤡🤡🤡
Wonder how colleges spend their tax-free $? LibertyU doesn't pay: federal income tax + state corporate income tax + state property tax + local property tax + state sales tax + local sales tax interest income + short-term capital gains + long-term capital gains to fund Trump
No more tax exempt status for sacrilegious talibangelical churches.
If he's not paying taxes he should. I'm sure he won't.
He needs to be keeping his hands in his own pants. By hook or by crook right Jerry.
Ludicrous HoldTrumptoAccount
realOBF nailed it
like father, like son. Does sonny show videos of George Wallace appearance on Dad's TV shows in the early 60's, pushing segregation with religion and his whites-only Liberty high school.
He's just as big a con artist As Trump
Christians are a joke.
Wanna talk about religious persecution? LDS temples separate profitable ventures & prohibit the use of church property for non-religious activities so not to give IRS any excuse to threaten their tax-exempt status. Evangelicals bend the rules every day & no one bats an eye.
komprat
Maybe Liberty University should partner up with Trump University. Seems like they’re made for each other.
That a way to keep Church and State separate.
That’s why he got caught with his pants unzippered.
Serious Irony; Supporters of Corruption & Immorality Use & Abuse Religion & ‘Believers’...Con on Con Self-Serving!
Because Liberty University was OK with ALL that Falwell did UNTIL his royal freaky-ness for all things Trump AND Republican messiness became public they should have to pay taxes in all those funds.
“For quid pro quo so that Trump wouldn’t expose Jerry and his wife’s young long term fuckboi” (which happened on its own anyway!) - Feel it’s important to add that part. Context and all.
Christians couldn't rig the election... God intervened for the best man for the job...
You get a medal from Trump.
No Shit I'm Shocked
Pardon me, Trump.
No wonder Trump lost.
This is one reason why churches should be taxed.
And meanwhile his wife was getting pumped by the pool boy...while he watched.
Not the only thing he shouldn't have pumped I'd expect.
TheTawniest Time to tax churches.
And yet, Michael Cohen (at least at time his book was published) is very close with Jerry Jr. and his wife. Call me skeptical but something doesn't smell right.
MattMurph24 Curious if Jerry gets the other guys to pump his gas for him, too.
Hmm. I remember that most Universities are ultra liberal. Many accept funds from China, refuse to allow conservatives to speak.. and your point is 1 university actually believes in constitutional causes? OMG! You must be outraged!
he seems to have a penchant for paying to watch things he 'loves' get pounded upon...
Disgusting!
I wonder how the parents paying for their children to attend this school feel about these millions?
Misuse of funds?
More FORENSIC evidence MI Dominion Voter Manipulation Machines manipulated ballots from Trump to Biden. Democrat BIDEN OPERATIVE MI AG is trying to destroy the Lawyers working on behalf of AMERICANS WHO WANT LEGAL VOTES TO COUNT!
Another reason organized religion is a farce imho. - former catholic speaking.
Lol...that's an anomaly. Most universities are liberal leaning and democrats get most of the funding either from the institutions or the liberal leaning, socialist professors. We see what you did here politico...😉 R_Allbritton
It's time for them to lose their tax exempt status for sure!
Religion and Republicans are made for each other. They don't need evidence, facts, or reason to justify their beliefs. They simply believe what they want.
That money should have been given to the poeple whom can’t get food for themselves and they families anymore... do you really think that God would have done the same ? You do not merit to be Christian !