This Fundie Leader Thinks It’s Time To Investigate Trump (TWEETS)



One of the most nauseating moments of the 2016 campaign cycle came when the religious right almost unanimously stood behind Donald Trump when the “Access Hollywood” tape came out. By all rights, hearing Trump caught on tape boasting that he could treat women any way he pleased–even “grab ’em by the pussy”–should have been a dealbreaker for anyone with an iota of decency. After all, it came on the heels of several women coming forward to say Trump sexually assaulted them.

But the nation’s so-called moral guardians insisted that Trump’s comments really didn’t matter as much as ending abortion and marriage equality–and for that reason, they urged their followers to continue supporting him. They also mostly dismissed the allegations as part of a politically motivated witch hunt.

With few exceptions, that line has held to this day. But one prominent fundie isn’t of that mind. He thinks the allegations are serious enough that they merit an investigation.

Unless you’re a frequent watcher of the religious right, Bob Vander Plaats’ name might not mean much. But his name and his word carry a lot of weight in social conservative circles. That’s especially the case in Iowa, where the Republican Party is probably one of the most fundified state party organizations outside the South. He initially supported Ted Cruz in the Republican primary contest, and that support almost certainly helped Cruz over the line in the Iowa caucuses. He ultimately joined most social conservatives in voting for Trump. However, he refused to outright endorse the Donald, and stressed that he would not bow down to Trump on everything.

That’s why his appearance on the Thursday edition of Iowa Public Radio’s local talk show, “River to River,” should set off alarms for the Trump camp. Vander Plaats told host Ben Kieffer that Trump’s accusers shouldn’t be ignored “because he became president.” While Trump has reiterated that the accusers are lying, Vander Plaats believes that Trump’s accusers “need to be heard,” and their claims shouldn’t be “easily dismissed” just because he denies them. He believes that Congress should take a look at the claims if they are indeed credible.


When this news broke, Twitter responded with a collective shrug, mainly because Vander Plaats isn’t that well known even among political junkies.

But there’s little doubt other social conservatives were paying attention, especially in Iowa and the Midwest. Even before then, Trump’s support among evangelicals had been tailing off. A recent poll found that 61 percent of white evangelicals approve of Trump’s performance. That looks impressive–until you consider that polling in February showed well over 70 percent of them approved of how Trump was doing, and that 81 percent of them voted for Trump in 2016.

And now one of their most prominent leaders has come out in support of an investigation into the allegations against Trump. Could this give other fundies enough cover to follow suit? If that happens, it could send Trump’s approval ratings down even further. Remember, as anemic as Trump’s approval ratings are now–at last report, an average of 36.4 percent, according to FiveThirtyEight–they would be even lower without his still-robust support among fundies.


Simply put, Vander Plaats’ support for an investigation represents a major crack in Trump’s fundie support. We can only hope that crack turns into a complete break–one that will take Trump down with it.

(featured image courtesy Vander Plaats’ Facebook)

Darrell is a 30-something graduate of the University of North Carolina who considers himself a journalist of the old school. An attempt to turn him into a member of the religious right in college only succeeded in turning him into the religious right's worst nightmare--a charismatic Christian who is an unapologetic liberal. His desire to stand up for those who have been scared into silence only increased when he survived an abusive three-year marriage. You may know him on Daily Kos as Christian Dem in NC. Follow him on Twitter @DarrellLucus or connect with him on Facebook. Click here to buy Darrell a Mello Yello.