Trump implies Falwell endorsement in new radio ad

Jerry Falwell Jr., the evangelical leader of Liberty University, features prominently in a new 60-second radio advertisement released by Donald Trump's campaign Friday, set to run in Iowa and South Carolina.

“It was a great honor to be introduced by the legendary Jerry Falwell Jr.," Trump said in announcing the spot. "He has built a tremendous institution and is a really terrific person with a beautiful family. We have always had a wonderful relationship and I am proud to share his kind words with the people of Iowa and South Carolina.”


The ad features Falwell's introduction of Trump at Monday's weekly convocation address at the Lynchburg, Virginia, university, one that he prefaced with a caveat.

"As you know, Liberty University does not support or oppose candidates for public office, and Mr. Trump’s appearance here should not be interpreted by any as an endorsement by Liberty," Falwell said before lavishing praise on the Manhattan businessman's record. "We have invited the other candidates for president from both the Republican and Democratic parties."

The ad itself opens with a narrator intoning, "Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University, talks about Donald Trump," splicing together snippets from the chancellor and president's introduction.

"I see a lot of parallels between my father and Donald Trump," Falwell says in the spot, which edited out the preceding clause, "I said on Sean Hannity's show in December."

"Like Mr. Trump, Dad would speak his mind, he would make statements that were politically incorrect," Falwell said, before the spot jumps a bit later into his speech in which he remarked, "He speaks the truth publicly, even if it is uncomfortable for people to hear."

In the next snippet shared by the Trump campaign, Falwell remarks that when his father walked into the voting booth, "he was not electing a Sunday School teacher or a pastor or even a president who shared his theological beliefs. He was electing the president of the United States [and the talents, abilities, and experience required] to lead a nation."

"Matthew 7:16 tells us, 'By their fruits ye shall know them.' Donald Trump's life has borne fruit, fruit that has provided jobs to multitudes of people," Falwell said at another point in the speech, the next line of the ad. "I have seen first-hand that his staff loves him and is loyal to him because of his servant leadership. In my opinion, Donald Trump lives a life of loving and helping others as Jesus taught in the Great Commandment," the spot concludes.

Falwell did not immediately respond to a request for comment asking whether he had granted permission.