(RNS) The Christian Broadcasting Network, founded by televangelist and Donald Trump supporter Pat Robertson, is launching a new online talk show focused on politics.
Called “Faith Nation” — a spin on CBS’ long-running “Face the Nation” — the show premiered on Facebook Live on Wednesday (July 19) with presidential press secretary Sean Spicer as its first guest.
The appearance of Spicer — remotely, from the White House lawn — underscores the Christian network’s access to the Trump administration. Last week, President Trump, who frequently excoriates mainstream media, did a sit-down interview with Robertson for a segment of the network’s flagship show, “The 700 Club.”
Spicer, who has been portrayed as beleaguered and overmatched by everyone from mainstream news media to “Saturday Night Live,” took questions from hosts David Brody and Jenna Browder about health care repeal, daily press briefings and the possible move of the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
Brody, who is at work on a “spiritual biography” of the president, also asked Spicer how “people out there” should pray for him. He replied, in part, “Prayer is something every individual has to decide how they want to have that conversation and I appreciate any and all of it.”
There were no questions about the controversies currently swirling around the president, including meetings with Russian officials for “opposition research” on Hillary Clinton or the recently revealed second meeting with Vladimir Putin that did not appear in White House records.
CBN airs all over the United States and overseas. Its mission is an evangelical one — to promote Christianity. More than 80 percent of white evangelicals voted for Trump in November 2016 and people within that group continue to be among his staunchest supporters.
CBN is touting “Faith Nation,” which will air every Wednesday on Facebook Live, as “focusing on today’s political topics that are significant to Christians.”
