It’s just been revealed America’s infantile President wrote last year to Copeland to congratulate him on fifty years of conning cash out of millions of faith-heads.
The evangelist, who is worth around $760-m (£562-m), expressed amazement in 2016 that that his outfit – Kenneth Copeland Ministries – was being run as a non-profit entity.
He is quoted here as saying:
This whole time I thought we were all about the profits. It sure feels profit-y. Huh. Strange.
When he noticed his organisation was registered as a tax-exempt ministry, the “confused” televangelist reportedly asked his financial team:
Really? Are you sure we’re not for profit? I mean, I’ve got a massive lakeside mansion, my own tennis court – I even let the ministry foot the bill for my own personal airport.
Copeland revealed on Facebook at the end of December 2017 that he received a letter from the deranged Trump in August. Trump wrote:
Melania and I send our warmest wishes as you celebrate 50 years of ministry. For half a century, you have devoted your life to faith and humanity. Your enduring commitment to spreading the word of God has influenced the lives of people across the United States and around the world.
We hope your heart is filled with joy, knowing your efforts to spread a message of hope are an inspiration to people who seek the love and mercy of the Lord. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement.
Copeland, who long drawn criticism for his teachings that God wants Christians to be rich, was among a group of religious leaders who prayed over Trump in 2015 prior to his election.
Copeland and his wife were also among those who agreed to be on Trump’s Evangelical Advisory Board, which includes some of the most egregious bigots in America, such as radio host and psychologist Dr James Dobson; Jerry Falwell, President of the Liberty University; and Paula White of the New Destiny Christian Center (who chairs the advisory board and is stated to be Trump’s closest religious advisor).
Copeland’s lavish lifestyle has been slammed by Christians and unbelievers alike. In 2016 he raised eyebrows after sharing on his daily television broadcast that he flies on a private jet to avoid being bothered by “demon” hoi polloi on commercial aircraft who would interfere with his conversations with God.
He also said that he and other private jet-owning preachers like him were “in business – the soul business” and needed private transport to reach those begging to be fleeced by his ministry and other cash harvesters like it.
Getting an official endorsement from the POTUS is bound to make Copeland even richer.