After 50 years as the host of ‘The 700 Club,’ Pat Robertson signed off of the daily Christian talk show for the last time on Friday. Full-time hosting duties will be taken over by his son, Gordon Robertson.
Throughout his half-decade tenure as host of the CBN’s flagship program, Robertson became an incredibly influential figure in evangelical circles.
He is widely credited with helping to revolutionize religious television programming, which prior to "The 700 Club" mainly consisted of televised services and revivals. Robertson adopted the popular talk show format and put a religious spin on it, creating a new way to reach people. He hosted big-name guests, including several U.S. presidents, on the show.
Robertson also made some very controversial statements over the years, some of which landed him in hot water.
We’re taking a look back on the storied career of one of the most famous Christians in America – including some of his most famous (for better or worse) proclamations.
A 50 Year Legacy
The 700 Club began in 1966, six years after Robertson founded the Christian Broadcast Network (CBN). During the early years of the Christian Broadcast Network, Pat Robertson seemed unstoppable.
Along with other influential evangelicals like Jerry Falwell, Robertson helped shape American politics and culture, uniting conservative evangelicals into one of the most powerful political and social groups in the country.
It culminated in a run for president in 1988. Despite winning primaries in several states, Robertson ultimately lost the Republican nomination to George H.W. Bush.
But no one spends 50 years in the public eye without saying something at least mildly controversial, and Pat Robertson’s certainly made more than his fair share of controversial statements, particularly about homosexuality.
Floods of Controversy
Perhaps his most famous statement was his response to Disney World’s privately sponsored “Gay Days” weekend in 1998. Robertson issued a foreboding warning to the city of Orlando, stating that “you’re right in the way of some serious hurricanes, and I don’t think I’d be waving those flags in God’s face if I were you … It’ll bring about terrorist bombs; it’ll bring earthquakes, tornadoes, and possibly a meteor.”
In an ironic twist, the first hurricane of the 1998 hurricane season, Hurricane Bonnie, changed course from Florida and instead devastated the Virginia Beach, Virginia, area – where CBN is headquartered.
In 2013, Robertson argued that the push to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide was an attempt to destroy the idea of family. “Is it really just about marriage?” he pondered. “Or does it go far beyond that, to destroying the traditional family and building a country without God?”
But perhaps his most infamous controversy came shortly after 9/11. During a televised segment, Robertson eagerly agreed with Jerry Falwell when Falwell blamed the terrorist attacks on pagans, abortionists, feminists, the ACLU, and – you guessed it – gays and lesbians. Comments start at the 1:00 mark in the video below:
After pubic outcry, both men were forced to apologize.
Keeping Current
Although Robertson seems to be in a forever war with the acceptance of homosexuality, he’s made statements on dozens if not hundreds of other issues in his day.
In fact, the key to Robertson’s continued cultural relevance may be his ability to stay current and comment on the latest and greatest controversies. Earlier in the summer, the teaching of critical race theory in schools was a huge debate nationwide. Should we be teaching children a complicated academic theory that examines how our institutions perpetuate systemic racism?
Robertson jumped on the bandwagon and said no, arguing that it’s a “monstrous evil,” and that teaching it in classrooms will give third-graders white guilt and teach people of color to grab “the whip handle” and “instruct their white neighbors how to behave.”
Interestingly, Robertson's views seem to have evolved over time in certain areas. When Alabama lawmakers passed the most sweeping abortion ban in the country in 2019, Robertson actually voiced his opposition to such a restrictive abortion ban, saying that the state has simply “gone too far.”
And following the 2020 election, Robertson shocked many loyal viewers when he urged President Trump to concede, arguing that the election was fair and that Trump is living in an “alternate reality.”
A large part of Robertson’s legacy will be his always-controversial statements on whatever’s going on in culture and politics.
For over 50 years, viewers could always count on him to tell them exactly what was on his mind. It’s what has made him both beloved and reviled.
66 comments
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Katelynne Shouse
That's fantastic......unfortunately someone just as, or more than, delusional will fill his spot!
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Debra L. Derrick
Two most ignorant and dangerous men. Recall the "Separation of church and state?" Most happy they are gone.
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Susan Marie LaLonde
It really was all about the Benaimins.....
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Susan Marie LaLonde
Auto correct is messing this up...lol. It's ALL about the Benjamins.
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Daniel Gray
Recall that there is NO such thing as Separation of church and state? The Constitution was ratified in 1787 and the first mention of this myth was in 1802 a good FIFTEEN YEARS AFTER the final ratification and even then in was in a letter from Jefferson to his detractors. At this time they would have to have had a constitutional amendment to place this myth in the constitution and that never happened.
And dont say the SCOTUS made it so as they dont have that authority under Article 3 Section 2 which details the authority that the Constitution gives them. And at no time does it say they have the right to make up parts of the constitution out of whole cloth nor can they add anything to it. And this is upheld by the 10th Amendment which clearly states that unless the constitution specifically grants you an authority, you do NOT have that authority and never did. this isnt rocket science and its very clear that you have failed both history and government classes in school.
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Tom
Actually there is, Daniel. The First Amendment prevents the government from creating or favoring a religion which is what Jefferson is directly citing in his letter to the Danbury Baptist Association when mentioning the separation of church and state.
"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church and State."
For as often as you misunderstand constitutional arguments and cases, you might want to consider being less condescending when disagreeing with someone.
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John P Maher
THANK YOU GOD, SO MUCH LESS B S !
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Your welcome, John P. Maher.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
I thought he was dead. Here's video that's a tribute to him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWdL9ZwYQlI&ab_channel=KingT91
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Douglas, you might be confusing Pat with his sidekick, Ben who died several years ago. Pat was the ugly, old, white man half of their slapstick comedy team, who looked far less healthy than Ben. I believe I he a Rd their act got stàrted in Vaudeville, more than a hundred years ago, so it's about time he retired. Now he'll have time to practice playing Scott Joplin rags on his ukelele.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
Just saw a story that the devolved Christian who said the Bible says divorce is a sin for many decades divorced his wife. Christianity is like the Mormon religion. Religious leaders get to make **** up when it is in their best interests. Pat is way past his expiration date.
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Rev. Elizabeth
What people failed to see was that they thought he was declaring he was God. He never did. What he failed to do was refer to the Bible, where he himself learned about how God felt. It is all in the Bible. He would get on TV and act like, well, act like he was God. That is why everyone should always show or speak their references so people who want to read it for themselves. They know where to go and see your words in print. This he did not do. You do this on any subject or any book, not just a bible reader.
May you always have God’s Blessings in your home and in your life.
I pray he enjoys his retirement. He sure has earned it.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
I, as a ULC Bishop, with a DD, and two “sainthood” certifications, can state, that every “Secular Humanist Pantheist” (what I am) is part of God (as is everything else in Nature, because Nature and God are the same thing.
Ergo, because every person is a part of God, anything anybody says, is said by God— because, after all, if we’re all part of God — so is everything else anyone says, said by God.
Whenever anyone claims that only their supernatural God is real — ask them to prove their supernatural ineffable totally incomprehensible God to you — and after they show you that they can’t do so, consider becoming a SHP Celebrant, as I am, then you’ll have a provable God — because, if you can prove that nature exists (easily done) then you, like Pat Robertson, can truthfully state that when you speak, you are speaking for God.
Hopefully, Rev. Elizabeth, now, whenever you speak, you are speaking on behalf of nature — and nature promotes free speech— as long as someone’s ineffective God, tells them differently.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
We've got plenty of gods on this blog, Elizabeth. Let us know if you ever need one.
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Dave J
My favorite comments on Pat Robertson: https://youtu.be/M9f-uggETRI
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Marius Gabriel Burja
When you're in the spot light the puppet master expects you to dance. Why do you think that no one knows where Jesus Christ is in spirit right now? Well I do know but I won't tell because God has him covered. Yes he's under Gods cover hidden right in front of your face. But I am not going to point at him. I don't care how big of a tower of babel anyone builds on the bible, I will still tell them to eat it and yes it will be bitter in their belly because of the ink. It will take the whole world for him to reveal himself. Believe you me when I say he's going to take the world by storm. It's not Trump either it's by solar wind storm and the earth wind storms and even war by man storms. Evil started this war when it decided to go against the plan from the beginning. The plan is the bible. The christian bible. Christ Dominates the heavens and the earth. Evil doesn't like peace and it loves money. Jesus which is really not his name kicked the merchants out of the temple and he was not a Jew. He was a Hebrew Roman cross. How would I know such a thing? He's with the gentiles now. No one can disproved anything I said because I live in truth. All glory to God and Glory to God in the highest 💨🕊️💖🙏🇺🇸
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Marius, you couldn't be more wrong about Jesus' whereabouts. I've met him numerous times. He keeps coming back as a walk-in, and for some strange reason he only possesses the bodies of schizophrenics. I'm surprised he hasn't possessed you yet. The last time we met he was singing a song that went something like "Mama's little baby loves shortenin', shortenin'. Mama's little baby loves shortenin' bread". And I don't think he was talking about manna from heaven.
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Marius Gabriel Burja
I know who I am. I'm alive and I know what is in me. I did not speak of you. I spoke of what is in me. I have not ever voted. Look closely at my God given name. I did not choose it. It was chosen for me by his will for me. That is my calling. I was born on flag day in the summer of love. The wise should know what America and it's children were crying to God about. He has sent his delivery as he promised. The truth is stranger than fiction. I am a stranger to you. How can you tell me if I am wrong or right?
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
The puppet master controls his puppets with strings, Marius.
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Marius Gabriel Burja
Quantum strings. I am the puppet master of my father's doing. I am a son of faith not of religion. I am not Mario Francis Borgoglio I am Marius Gabriel Burja son of Maria and Virgil and a son of God as is a minister. I am number 4 of 12 children. Raised Pentecostal yet here I am at the ULC. Why do you think that is?
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I swear I'll never vote for him again!
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Pat Robertson and Ben Cenchlow were a great comedy team. I got many hearty chuckles from watching that show. Especially hilarious was when they'd tell their audience to lay their hands on their T.V.s while they prayed for them to quit smoking. Even funnier, I was stupid enough to do it one time. Hang on while I take a drag, as soon as I quit laughing.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I forgot to mention earlier that I did vote for Bush in the '88 final election, and am glad Robertson didn't make it that far. I voted for Pat during my first relapse, and was probably drunk when I went to the polls, like the other people who voted for him.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
The only funnier show I used to watch on T.V. was the Jim Baker and Tammy Fay comedy hour, with Uncle Henry.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Marius, it sounds like you're due for a medication change.
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Marius Gabriel Burja
Why must you insist on talking don't to me? You haven't heard my voice yet you just read my ink in the cloud and spew garbage judgements at me. You will not ever have power over me. I am not involved in politics and I am not throwing you pearls any more. I will remind you that blessed are those that bless others and blasted are those who blast others. God bless you with everything you don't have. I'm not here to save a world that doesn't want to be saved. You are in it but you will not win it. It was already promised to God's righteous son of Mary. ☝️👣🎼MGB🎵🎶 YOU really should study some space weather and news because that ball of light is plasma the Earth's core is plasm and my plasma is plasma. The beams within my eyes are not made of wood, they are made of plasma beams. Unlike yours you wood pecker. ☝️🧔 I'm old enough to still play childish games of name calling with my dumb brothers. Marius means Martian God of WAR in English but I was born in Transilvania Romania and I am dual citizen. I may or may not pick up a third one. Time will tell because I have faith in our heavenly father. Try asking him to make you Jesus. I did just like he said and boom. Here I am with the likes of you.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Hey Burja, I want to teach you a new song. Repeat after me: "Jesus and Judas sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G"!!!
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Angel
Carl- Does this make you feel good to harrass him like this? Make you feel like a "big man" to cut him down? Redcule him? You don't have to agree, but don't bully him either...
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Angels like you are falling all the time! Say hi to Satan when you get down there, with Burja. It won't be long now.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
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Angel
And this isn't elemetary school..GROW UP!!!
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
No Angel, it isn't elementary school.They won't take me in that anymore. After expelling me from St. Mary's and St. Patrick's they said they'd never take me in another Catholic school again in my life, even if I wanted to become a priest later on. It took attending many thousands of A.A. and N.A. meetings, for thirty something years, starting on 15 October 1983 to make me the man I am today. And I've out argued the best of them,just to let you know what you're up against. So, come and get it. Make my day!
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Robert Wilson
Carl Carl Carl
Grow Up
Rev Robert wilson
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Talk about schizophrenic delusions! Have you confided in your psychiatrist about all that poppycock, Burja? I hope you're still going to your psychotherapy sessions!
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Marius Gabriel Burja
Blessed are those who bless and blasted are those who blast. Check yourself. How are you blessing me? I'm not throwing pearls to swine. Go hang yourself from a tree for all I care.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
You don't seem to care about how immature you sound, do you Burja? Maybe you're a little boy, and are too young to realize how stupid you sound. You better not let your Mommy and Daddy find out about this, or you're going to be in a lot of trouble.
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Thom
Not sad to see him retire. I am sad that the BS show he created is continuing. All they want is your money and they preach their way into the viewers wallets every day.
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Richard Lee Cornell
The mind of a pagan, who took the word of any God and bent it to his will. Social media has replace his word to that of the people that make up his viewers. The belief that if God did not want him to speak then God would have long ago strike him down. Since God did not then what every he says must be the same if God was sitting there and speaking. If there was a all powerful God to start with, then he would still be swinging in the trees.
Do you know that humans have the same number of hairs on their bodies as your common monkey. We just have finer hairs. So the next time you see Pat Robertson just think of him as a hairless ape who views are the same as a old silverback in a zoo.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
It sounds like you started before me today Richard, but I'll drink to that anyway. Bottoms up!
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Ealdormon Piparskeggr Robinson
I wasn't aware he was still extant.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I bet he won't last much longer. He looks dead already.
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Marius Gabriel Burja
He was blessed with a long life as God promised and a loving family to boot. Your jealousy is blinding you. You will not ever have a following like He still does even when his son takes over. A father leaves inheritance to his son as God said so. You should get some counceling before I kick in the dog trainer mode. I am a master life trainer but I especially have issues with dogs and beasts. I've trained many of them. Stop barking at people and start living psalms 23 through 27 KJV. I know you like that one. You King Carl Clumber Cavalier Spaniel. Let me know if you want more TREATS.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
The so called golden years,are often more of a curse. But have you not heard, Repunzel that only the good die Young. The rest must suffer through years and decades of seemingly living on borrowed time, as we slowly wither away, like Pat Robertson, who's damn near petrified (not to mention butt-ugly)!
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Carmela Helbling
I stopped watching and listening to Pat Robertson when he started telling everyone how wonderful Donald Trump was and how terrible and corrupt Hillary Clinton was. To me, that is not appropriate for someone in his position. What a disappointment.
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Douglas R. Reynolds
This man is a false prophet, plain and simple. He bends scripture to fit his narrow political views and morals. He is a wolf in sheep clothing.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Sounds like you're describing most christians, don't you think, Douglas R. Reynolds?
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Douglas R. Reynolds
No I'm not. Some evangelical conservative Christians but not all Christians.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Ofcourse, not all christians Douglas, for you're definitely one of the better ones who always interprets the scriptures in the right way, right? Then again, don't they all think that about themselves? You might ponder that for a while before responding, sir.
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Alexander Clarke
Good riddance!
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
How does that song go, from The Wizard Of Oz, Alex, about the wicked witch being dead?Was it "Hail, hail, the wicked witch is dead"! [I'm usually good at remembering those witch songs.]
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Susan Claire Schloeder
Half century...not decade. (2nd paragraph) 😘
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Ehrman, how many times do I have to tell you that I have too much fun with my dark imaginings to ever be distressed by them?
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Ehrman, must I quote the words to Devo's song It's A Beautiful World to you again? I hope you're not stuck on that namsy pamsy one by Louis Armstrong. Next you'll be singing with Fred Astaire "Heaven, I'm in heaven"...Well, I do hope you made it anyway, despite all that blather.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Ehrman, there is far less heroism in this world than there is heroin. And you sounded like you had quite a buzz when you wrote the Desiderata.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Yes Ehrman, I have quite a humble career ministering to the ministers on this blog. And like the song goes "There ain't no stoppin' us now"!
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I do listen to the dull and ignorant, Ehrman. And I get quite a laugh out of the things they say.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Sorry I didn't write anything for a couple of days. I hope I won't lose my good standing in the ULC because of it. It often seems like I am forever revising my Amazon and Walmart.com shopping carts for my next monthly orders, and often can't seem to tear myself away from them. How did we live before the internet?!
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
No Ehrman, I am not at all bitter, for I have found far fewer greater persons, than lesser ones.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
No Ehrman, I think I'm doing a greater justice by being a vexation to the spirits of loudmouth and know it all fools. And there ain't no stoppin' us now!
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Gwendolyn Lord
Pat Robertson retiring. Thank you Jesus!
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
If I believed he existed I'd thank Jesus for that too, Gwendolyn.
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Kevin Anderson
Pat Robertson did not win "primaries in several states," contrary to your assertion. His only '88 primary victory was in the Washington State Caucuses. Had he not dropped out early, it's highly possible that he'd have added Oregon to that short list.
His claims to know the mind of God have helped make Christianity look like a joke.
He is a joke who bilked millions of dollars if not billions of dollars from good honest people with his lies about God and religion.
Tom, Christianity is a joke, and didn't need his help in proving it, one damn bit.
Well, Christianity is of course a joke, led by one ridiculous horrific imaginable deity, followed by people who obviously are very easily conned. The saddest thing is that they con their children, it’s called indoctrination, and so the myth is perpetuated from generation to generation.
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You are correct! His show has become mostly political and supporting the FAR RIGHT and the Former Preidunce.