Donald Trump Jr. talks new book and traditional American values with fellow conservative voices

Liberty University welcomed Donald Trump Jr. to Wednesday’s Convocation to participate on a panel with other notable conservative influencers including TV news personality Kimberly Guilfoyle and Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk. Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. led the discussion and was joined by his wife, Becki Falwell, and Liberty Senior Vice President for Spiritual Development David Nasser.

The panel addressed topics ranging from the pro-life movement, supporting our nation’s military, the conservative battle to preserve traditional family values, and the success of the Trump Administration despite the media’s efforts to sabotage the president’s efforts.

“The last four years have been an incredible experience,” Donald Trump Jr. said in front of over 12,000 Liberty students. “Such a rollercoaster, both ups and downs.”

He shared many of the themes from his new book, “Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us,” an autobiography detailing his personal experiences with liberal bias throughout his father’s campaign and presidency. The book was released on Tuesday and debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times nonfiction bestseller list on Wednesday. Trump Jr. said he dedicated the book to the “deplorables,” a term coined by then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to describe President Trump’s middle-class voter base, who supported the conservative cause despite the media’s desperate pushback.

“The Left will latch on to anything to try to make it a negative against Trump,” Donald Trump Jr. said. “Anything they can contort, they will. … (The deplorables) are the people who were there from day one. They are the people who did not waver throughout the three years of this witch hunt.”

Falwell talked about President Trump’s perseverance that often overshadows his personable disposition.

“(Trump) treats people so well,” Falwell said. “But he’s a fighter.”

Falwell pointed out that Jesus’ teachings about turning the other cheek do not prohibit perseverance.

“When Jesus said turn the other cheek, he was talking about personal relationships,” Falwell said. “He didn’t mean for soldiers and the Roman army to turn the other cheek. That’s what I think a lot of Christians have failed to understand over the last 50 years about Jesus’ teaching.”

Kirk discussed some of his recent speaking engagements at colleges across the country, touching on the hostility he occasionally faces on left-leaning campuses. Kirk also mentioned how wonderful it felt to visit Liberty’s campus, free from intolerant, disruptive protestors.

“It’s so nice to go to a college campus and not have protestors all over the place,” Kirk said. “As Christians, we are called to have tough conversations. … As Christians, we have to go out into the world, and Liberty is a great training ground for this.”

Immediately following Convocation, Kirk attended a speaking conference at NC State.

Liberty students recently launched a Turning Point USA chapter on campus and Kirk invited more students to become active in the group.

The panel also complimented Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle for the gracious, yet bold, behavior the couple displayed during their recent appearance on the daytime talk show The View. The 5,000th episode, which aired Nov. 9, collected roughly 3 million views and the most hits since Joe Biden appeared on the show in April, according to Fox News.

This was Donald Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle’s second appearance at Liberty this year; they participated in the Conservative Political Action Conference held in the Vines Center in March. Kirk also participated in CPAC and has made regular visits to campus.

As Liberty observes Military Emphasis Week this week, the panel also praised the Trump Administration’s support of veterans and treatment of current service members.

“Our president.… stands for the men and women who serve, and they’re better taken care of, including our veterans, then ever before,” Guilfoyle said. “So, thanks be to God for that.”

The panel joined the student body in honoring evangelist and decorated Vietnam war veteran Tim Lee in Convocation. Lee led the crowd in prayer for the Trump family and for our country’s leadership, and he spoke to students about showing support for our nation’s veterans. Lee will be joined by “The Muslim Marine” Mansoor Shams at 10 a.m. on Thursday for a veterans-themed Convo Select in the Concert Hall at the Center for Music and the Worship Arts. (View the livestream from Convo Select on Liberty’s Facebook page).

Wednesday’s Convocation also featured alumnus Zach Radcliff, who performed his single “I’ll Stand,” a song honoring veterans and the American flag, along with other special music.