Mark Burns (televangelist)

John Mark Burns (September 21, 1979–) is an American Evangelical Christian pastor.

Quotes

• Even though I disagree with the tactics and the divisive rhetoric of the Black Lives Matter movement, I do understand that hopelessness and lack of opportunity breeds this type of desperation. And this is true in many of our nation’s ghettos and underprivileged communities, much of the protests in urban city centers are born out of this kind of desperation. But the thing is — the way that we can solve the problem and to eliminate this kind of a desperation is to create good jobs, urban economic revitalization, and opportunities for job training and long-term solutions. That will solve the problem in our troubled cities around this country. And I want to make a loud cry that we as Republicans — we are declaring right now today, that we are determined more than ever to listen to the cries of the disenfranchised, the low-income, the at-risk communities. We are more than ever – we will solve the problems together!
  • Speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention (July 21, 2016)

• In reference to dealing with black issues and dealing with issues that plague those minority communities, Donald Trump doesn't have a racist bone in his body. I know what real racism is. And Donald Trump is so far from it. Talking to him and his wonderful wife and his children is like hanging out with some friends of mine that are black … He's just that kind of a person. He is not uneasy around you. He's very relaxed...When Donald Trump talks about 'the blacks' he's talking about the blacks, the group as a whole. He's talking about the groups...No, it doesn't bother me, because I know Donald Trump. I know who he is. I know he is not at all speaking in any derogatory sense at all. He's simply talking to that ethnic group, the blacks or the whites...Even with a sitting black President, the racial tension in this country is at an all-time high. And I believe it's led by the Democratic party and led by President Barack Obama, and obviously Secretary Clinton desires to continue that torch, which I believe will lead us more and more into economic destruction, especially for minorities in this country...I have not experienced racist tension from Donald Trump. I'm from the South. Literally right over the next county, there are active KKK groups that parade their rebel flag on a daily basis...This is in 2016. Right now, today, with a sitting black President. So I know what real racism looks like. And it is not Donald Trump...Does he want it (ex-KKK leaders endorsement)? He said, 'No, I don't want it, I don't accept it.' … He doesn't stand for any hate groups, whether it be a Christian hate group or an Islam hate group. He's already stated this. Mr. Trump has already stated that there was a technical issue in the earpiece.I'm in television; I own a TV studio. I do know how technical issues can cause you to miss out on what someone is saying.
  • Interview, New York Daily News, 15 May 2016 [1]

• And Bernie Sanders, who doesn’t believe in God, how in the world are we gonna let Bernie, I mean, really! Listen, Bernie gotta get saved, He gotta meet Jesus, I don’t know. He gotta, he gotta have a comin’ to Jesus meeting.
  • On Bernie Sanders, the first Jewish candidate to win a major party nominating contest [2]

• As a young man starting my church in Greenville, South Carolina, I overstated several details of my biography because I was worried I wouldn't be taken seriously as a new pastor. This was wrong, I wasn't truthful then and I have to take full responsibility for my actions
  • Statement released in response to allegations that he had falsified his professional accomplishments [3]

• "I'm so sorry for the offensive #Blackface image of @HillaryClinton but stand by the message that we Blacks ARE being Used by #Dems for VOTES
  • Twitter feed statement, in response to his having retweeted a cartoon image of Hillary Clinton in Blackface [4]