Perhaps Donald Trump is too focused on getting protesters thrown out of his rallies instead of paying attention to the words that are streaming from his mouth. Or at least keeping straight the names of people who have endorsed him.
Unfortunately for the billionaire businessman who has been hemorrhaging potential Republican presidential delegates to Ted Cruz lately, Trump made an unforced error on Tuesday, touting the endorsement of Iowa evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats.
The problem is that Trump meant to say the name of Jerry Falwell Jr., one of the most recognizable religious figures in the country and the president of Liberty University. Vander Plaats—the president and CEO of Family Leader, a pro-life religious organization based in Iowa—has already endorsed Cruz, who also happened to win the Iowa caucus.
As CNN noted, Trump said while at a rally in Rome, New York, “We’ve had so many great endorsements, with Gov. [Chris] Christie and with Sarah Palin and with everybody, Vander Plaats, our friend Bob Vander Plaats from Liberty University.”
The campaign later confirmed Trump had meant to say the name of Falwell.
And if Trump had any doubts, Vander Plaats was quick to confirm his non-endorsement on Twitter.
So sorry @realDonaldTrump, I'm "Cruzin" to the nomination with @tedcruz! No interest in "Art of the Deal." #Loyal https://t.co/Y38DqxBi0J
— Bob Vander Plaats (@bobvanderplaats) April 12, 2016
Trump, of course, should have remembered, considering he had a public spat with Vander Plaats after he gave Cruz his endorsement. This was what Trump tweeted in January.
"@xXFlame: .@bobvanderplaats Idiot Bob Plaats on CNN is DELUDED! Cruz's favorability ratings are 0%, NO ONE LIKES HIM. VOTE TRUMP INSTEAD!"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2016
Why doesn't phony @bobvanderplaats tell his followers all the times he asked for him and his family to stay at my hotels-didn't like paying
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2016
.@bobvanderplaats begged me to do an event while asking organizers for $100,000 for himself—a bad guy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2016
Vander Plaats responded thusly.
@realDonaldTrump Still consider you a friend and you still can't have my endorsement. My friendship isn't phony.
— Bob Vander Plaats (@bobvanderplaats) January 26, 2016
@realDonaldTrump you know that's not true. I gave you an introduction and opportunity and you charged the guy $100K. May work in NY not IA.
— Bob Vander Plaats (@bobvanderplaats) January 26, 2016
Luckily, Falwell on Tuesday was the forgiving type, as he took to Twitter.
@joeallenii @CNN Obama once spoke of the 57 states of America. @realDonaldTrump confusing me with another of his many endorsers no big deal!
— Jerry Falwell (@JerryFalwellJr) April 13, 2016
But it could be worse for Trump. At least he’s gaining some traction among college students for his build-a-great-wall idea.