Thug Life: TV Preacher Pat Robertson Hangs With a Bad Crowd
While the media focused on the verdict, less attention was paid to Taylor’s relationship with Robertson, head of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) and founder of the Christian Coalition.
Robertson signed an agreement with Taylor in 1999 to allow the televangelist’s for-profit Freedom Gold Ltd. to mine for gold in Liberia. If any gold was found, 10 percent would go to the Liberian government, and in effect, into the pockets of the loathsome Taylor.
On the stand during his trial, the Liberian leader said Robertson promised to argue for the Liberian government with officials in Washington, and he claimed the TV preacher personally intervened with President George W. Bush.
Taylor was grateful for Robertson’s help. In 2002, he even appeared at a three-day “Liberia for Jesus” rally sponsored by CBN. When the Bush administration pressured Taylor to resign in 2003, Robertson sprang to the dictator’s defense.
On his Christian Broadcasting Network’s “700 Club” program, Robertson said, “We’re undermining a Christian, Baptist president to bring in Muslim rebels to take over the country.”
Added Robertson, “And how dare the president of the United States say to the duly elected president of another country, ‘You’ve got to step down.’… He doesn’t work for us.”