American evangelicals are losing an evangelist and charismatic leader. Pat Robertson, real name Marion Gordon Robertson, died on June 8 at his home in Virginia Beach. In 1960 he established the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) television channel. It was on this channel that he hosted the popular talk show “The 700 Club” from 1966 to 2021. The entrepreneur has also established a media empire publishing books and videos, building on that. The Washington Post, up to $300 million per year. Today, CBN produces programming that reaches millions of people worldwide via satellite in more than 70 languages.
However, Pat Robertson was also a controversial man. He has indeed often taken extreme positions. A year after the September 11, 2001 attacks, he said, “Muslims are worse than Nazis.” Also, in 2005, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez called for the assassination of Osama bin Laden, accusing him of financing him. The televangelist is often associated with the rise of the religious right in American politics. The son of a Congressman, he contested the 1988 Republican presidential nomination and lost. He was the last contender for the nomination to step down in favor of George H.W. Bush, who was eventually elected.
“Food trailblazer. Passionate troublemaker. Coffee fanatic. General analyst. Certified creator. Lifelong music expert. Alcohol specialist.”