Hey everyone, this is Jenna Browder reporting for The Brody File. We have an exclusive to share with you: GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump will be speaking to hundreds of pastors this Thursday in Orlando, Florida. This is a private event sponsored by the American Renewal Project.
Trump will speak to them about his push to repeal the Johnson Amendment. The law, which has been in place for decades, has made it more difficult for pastors to speak out on political issues and candidates from the pulpit. We should also note that former presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio will also speak to pastors at the two-day event.
Rubio, Sen. Ted Cruz, former Gov. Mike Huckabee and others have appeared at these private events before but this is Trump's first appearance. Jerry Falwell Jr. played a key role in initiating the event. However, because of a previous family vacation commitment, he is not expected to attend.
While this is a private event, The Brody File will still have the inside scoop. We'll have a full report later this week, including major coverage on The 700 Club this Friday and right here on The Brody File.
A quick side note to the media and those that follow Brody's blog: I'll be filling in for him in Orlando. He's on a family cruise that was planned many months ago. However, before leaving he provided the following analysis on Trump's big appearance with pastors later this week:
Brody Analysis:
Events like this one will be crucial to Trump if he wants to beat Hillary Clinton. The reality is that evangelical pastors are a major key ingredient to mobilizing the masses. They hold great power over a captive audience every week in the pews. Trump needs them engaged. If they are, the flocks will typically follow.
The result? A bottom up approach that will affect turnout exponentially. The top down approach of receiving key endorsements won't do squat unless the evangelicals sitting in the pews are motivated.
Trump shouldn't assume that the anti-Hillary sentiment will be all he needs. No. He needs to do some work and by showing up in Orlando he's well on his way to striking evangelical gold.
Remember, our Brody File crew will be on the ground in Florida so we've got it covered. Stay tuned for more details. Get updates on Twitter by following us here at @thebrodyfile and at @jennabrowder.