Donald Trump Mistakes Biblical Citation at Liberty University Event
The presidential candidate is courting evangelical Christian votes.
— -- Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump appeared to mistake a Biblical citation during remarks at evangelical Liberty University today.
"I hear this is a major theme right here, but Two Corinthians, 3:17 that's the whole ball game," Trump told the arena of students. "You know, when you think -- and that's really -- is that the one? Is that the one you like? I think that's the one you like, because I loved it."
The book in the New Testament is commonly referred to as Second Corinthians, not Two Corinthians. The mis-reference quickly drew rebukes on Twitter:
The line drew mockery from other campaigns as well, including from Marco Rubio's faith outreach director:
Trump has named the Bible as his favorite book, but at times struggled to cite scripture, declining to name a particular verse he found meaningful to Bloomberg in August. In an interview with The Brody File last September, he expressed a preference for "Proverbs, the chapter 'never bend to envy.'" His campaign clarified to The Brody file that he was referring to Proverbs 24:1-2.
His professed love for the Bible hasn't always convinced presidential opponents. “He couldn’t name a single Bible verse or passage that meant something to him," former rival Bobby Jindal said in September. "And we all know why: because it’s all just a show. And he hasn’t ever read the Bible. But you know why he hasn’t read the Bible? Because he’s not in it.”
Trump is the fourth major 2016 presidential candidate to speak at the prominent evangelical university founded by Jerry Falwell: GOP rival Ted Cruz launched his campaign there last spring, while Democratic challenger Bernie Sanders addressed the convocation last fall. Jeb Bush delivered the commencement address in May.