Trump's video scandal divides evangelical and conservative leaders
Conservative and evangelical leaders are now divided over their support for Donald Trump after a scandalous video showing the candidate making lewd comments about women surfaced online. Some retracted their support but others continue to stand behind him to prevent Hillary Clinton from winning the presidency.
In the 2005 video published by the Washington Post last Friday, Trump was heard talking about seducing a married woman and boasted about getting away with kissing women because "when you're a star, they let you do it."
Trump has since apologized but several conservative leaders have withdrawn their support for the candidate.
John McCain told Politico that he cannot even offer conditional support for Trump because of his behavior in the past week and the demeaning comments that he made in the video.
Prominent theologian Wayne Grudem stated that he is now unsure who to vote for in the coming election. He said that the comments were "morally evil" and he called on Trump to repent and asked God for forgiveness.
House Speaker Paul Ryan said that he would not defend or campaign for Trump but he has not publicly rescinded his endorsement.
Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence is still standing behind Trump but he clarified that he was offended by the candidate's remarks in the video.
"As a husband and father, I was offended by the words and actions described by Donald Trump in the 11-year-old video released yesterday," Pence said in a statement. "I do not condone his remarks and cannot defend them. I am grateful that he has expressed remorse and apologized to the American people," he added.
Gary Bauer, chairman of the Campaign for Working Families, described Trump's remarks as "grossly inappropriate" but he said that he will continue supporting him.
Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council Action, also repudiated Trump's behavior but hinted that he is still voting for the business magnate because his support "was never based upon shared values rather it was built upon shared concerns."
"We are left with a choice of voting for the one who will do the least damage to our freedoms," Perkins said.
Former Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina posted on Facebook asking Trump to drop out of the race and let Pence take over.
