Mark Burns (pastor)

Last updated

Mark Burns
Mark Burns (48514226041) (cropped).jpg
Burns in 2019
Born
John Mark Burns

(1979-09-21) September 21, 1979 (age 44)
Anderson, South Carolina, U.S.
Education Southern Wesleyan University
Tri-County Technical College
North Greenville University
Occupation(s)Pastor, political candidate
Known forCo-founder, NOW Television Network
Political party Republican
Children5
Website Official website

John Mark Burns (born September 21, 1979) is an American evangelical minister, televangelist and political candidate who is the pastor of the Harvest Praise & Worship Center in South Carolina. [1] He was an early supporter of Donald Trump during the 2016 United States presidential election and by 2023 was a board member of Pastors for Trump. [2] Burns unsuccessfully ran for the United States House of Representatives in South Carolina's 4th congressional district in 2018 and 2022. He is co-founder of the NOW Television Network. [3]

Contents

Early life and education

Burns briefly attended Southern Wesleyan University, then transferred to Tri-County Technical College, and again to North Greenville University, which he attended for one semester before dropping out. [4] [5]

Education claims

Burns claimed to have held a Bachelor of Science degree from North Greenville University [6] and claimed to have served six years in the U.S. Army Reserve. [6] In August 2016, those claims were disproved by CNN. [6] Burns attended North Greenville University for one semester and did not receive a degree. Burns served from 2001 to 2005 in the South Carolina Army National Guard, rather than the Army Reserve. [7] Burns said the false claims about his life on his website were the result of the website being hacked. [8] Later, he admitted that he had lied about his education, but said he was attacked because he is "a black man supporting Donald Trump for president." [5]

Career

Religious career

After working at a McDonald's, Burns founded a church in Easley, South Carolina, then moved into televangelism. [4]

Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign

Burns was described by Time magazine as "Donald Trump's Top Pastor" [9] and named one of the "16 People Who Shaped the 2016 Presidential Election" by Yahoo! News. [10] Burns said he had usually voted Democratic, [11] which included support for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, saying, "I'm not ashamed to say that as a black man I wanted the first black man to enter the office." [12] He later said, in 2016, he had "seen the light." [11] Of Trump, he said "He's a smart man. He knows authenticity. I believe he knows and recognizes real character." [12]

At a Trump rally in North Carolina, Burns said that Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who is Jewish, "gotta get saved." [13] Burns later addressed his statement and said he had not intended to criticize Judaism and that his remarks "had nothing to do with [Sanders'] faith or religion or conversion to Christianity." [14]

Burns offered the benediction on the first day of the 2016 Republican National Convention. Before the prayer, he addressed the convention, called Trump a "man of God," and called on Republicans not to attack each other, labeling Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party the "enemy." Critics of the message, including the Democrat connected Interfaith Alliance, accused Burns of inserting God into partisan politics. Later, responding to the outrage, he said "If I could go back and use different wording I wouldn't have said 'enemy,' I would have said, 'political opponents.'" [15]

In August 2016, Burns was criticized after retweeting a digitally manipulated image of Hillary Clinton in blackface. Burns later stated, "I prayed that those who I offended really receive ... a sincere apology," adding that he believes that the Democratic Party uses black people for votes. [16] [17] [18]

2018 U.S. House election

In February 2018, Burns announced his candidacy for South Carolina's 4th congressional district in the 2018 election. [19] He ran for the seat Trey Gowdy, who was retiring from Congress, held since 2011. Burns lost during the first round, receiving 2.48% of the vote. [20]

2022 U.S. House election

In 2022, Burns unsuccessfully challenged incumbent William Timmons in the Republican primary in South Carolina's 4th congressional district. [21] Burns received 23.8% of the vote.

2024 U.S. House election

Main article: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

In 2024, Burns filed to run in South Carolina's 3rd congressional district in the 2024 election. Burns has been endorsed by Presidential candidate Donald Trump. [22]

Views

2020 election

In November 2020, during the 2020 presidential election, Burns made claims of voter fraud. He tweeted his concern towards "those who seek to undermine the sacred election process in our democracy" and shared that "President Trump is the clear winner of this 2020 Presidential election". [23]

Storming of the United States Capitol

After the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Burns was among those who advanced the idea that people associated with antifa were responsible for the attack. [24]

LGBTQ people

In a 2022 interview with far-right internet personality Stew Peters, Burns called for the arrest of supportive parents of transgender children, comparing them and pro-LGBTQ teachers to the leaders of the Hitler Youth. He further called for their conviction for treason, reminding Peters that the penalty for treason is death. [25] [26]

Personal life

Burns and his ex-wife, Tomarra Burns, have two children. [12] Burns has three children from a separate previous marriage and was the step-father to Tomarra’s two children from previous relationships. [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States presidential election</span> 58th quadrennial U.S. presidential election

The 2016 United States presidential election was the 58th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. The Republican ticket, businessman Donald Trump and Indiana governor Mike Pence defeated the Democratic ticket of former secretary of state and First Lady of the United States Hillary Clinton and the junior senator from Virginia, Tim Kaine, in what was considered one of the biggest political upsets in American history. It was also the sixth presidential election in which both major party candidates were registered in the same home state; the others have been in 1860, 1904, 1920, 1940, and 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neal Collins (politician)</span> American politician

Neal Collins is a Republican member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing the 5th district. He was first elected in 2014, and re-elected in every subsequent election. In 2010, he was one of several candidates running for the open seat of 3rd congressional district of South Carolina in the House of Representatives, which was held by J. Gresham Barrett, but left to compete in the 2010 Gubernatorial election for the Governor of South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trey Gowdy</span> American news anchor and politician (born 1964)

Harold Watson "Trey" Gowdy III is an American television news presenter, former politician and former federal prosecutor who served as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 4th congressional district from 2011 to 2019. His district included much of the Upstate region of South Carolina, including Greenville and Spartanburg.

The following is a timeline of major events leading up to, during, and after the 2016 United States presidential election. The election was the 58th quadrennial United States presidential election, held on November 8, 2016. The presidential primaries and caucuses were held between February 1 and June 14, 2016, staggered among the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories. The U.S. Congress certified the electoral result on January 6, 2017, and the new president and vice president were inaugurated on January 20, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Johnson 2016 presidential campaign</span> Political campaign

The 2016 presidential campaign of Gary Johnson, the 29th Governor of New Mexico, was announced on January 6, 2016, for the nomination of the Libertarian Party for President of the United States. He officially won the nomination on May 29, 2016, at the Libertarian National Convention in Orlando, Florida, receiving 56% of the vote on the second ballot. Former Massachusetts Governor William Weld was endorsed by Johnson for the Libertarian vice-presidential nomination, which he also received on May 29, 2016.

The 2016 presidential campaign of Ted Cruz, the junior United States senator from Texas, was announced on March 23, 2015. He was a candidate for the Republican Party's 2016 presidential nomination and won the second-most state contests and delegates. Cruz themed his campaign around being an outsider and a strict conservative. In the crowded early field, he chose not to directly confront the leading candidate, Donald Trump, who was also viewed as an outsider candidate. His cordial and sympathetic tone towards Trump contrasted with the more critical approach of rivals such as Jeb Bush, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul. Had Cruz been elected, he would have been the first Cuban American U.S. president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign</span> 2016 presidential campaign

The 2016 presidential campaign of Donald Trump was formally launched on June 16, 2015, at Trump Tower in New York City. Trump was the Republican nominee for President of the United States in the 2016 election, having won the most state primaries, caucuses, and delegates at the 2016 Republican National Convention. He chose Mike Pence, the sitting governor of Indiana, as his vice presidential running mate. On November 8, 2016, Trump and Pence were elected president and vice president of the United States. Trump's populist positions in opposition to illegal immigration and various trade agreements, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, earned him support especially among voters who were male, white, blue-collar, working class, and those without college degrees. Many voters in the Rust Belt, who gave Trump the electoral votes needed to win the presidency, switched from supporting Bernie Sanders to Trump after Hillary Clinton won the Democratic nomination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States presidential election in North Carolina</span>

The 2016 United States presidential election in North Carolina held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, as part of the 2016 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. North Carolina voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican Party's nominee, businessman Donald Trump, and running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence against Democratic Party nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and her running mate Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. North Carolina had 15 electoral votes in the Electoral College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States presidential election in South Carolina</span> Election in South Carolina

The 2016 United States presidential election was held on November 8, 2016, as part of the 2016 General Election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. South Carolina voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote pitting the Republican Party's nominee, businessman Donald Trump, and running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence against Democratic Party nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her running mate, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States presidential election in Ohio</span> Election in Ohio

The 2016 United States presidential election in Ohio was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, as part of the 2016 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. Ohio voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican Party's nominee, businessman Donald Trump, and running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence against Democratic Party nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and her running mate Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. Ohio had 18 electoral votes in the Electoral College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States presidential election in Oregon</span> Election in Oregon

The 2016 United States presidential election in Oregon was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, as part of the 2016 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. Oregon voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican Party's nominee, businessman Donald Trump, and running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence against Democratic Party nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and her running mate Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. Oregon has seven electoral votes in the Electoral College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States presidential election in Hawaii</span> Election in Hawaii

The 2016 United States presidential election in Hawaii was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, as part of the 2016 United States presidential election in which all 50 states and the District of Columbia participated. Hawaii voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College by a popular vote, pitting the Republican Party's nominee, businessman Donald Trump, and running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence against Democratic Party nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and her running mate Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. Hawaii has four electoral votes in the Electoral College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 South Carolina Democratic presidential primary</span>

The 2016 South Carolina Democratic presidential primary took place on February 27 in the U.S. state of South Carolina, marking the Democratic Party's fourth nominating contest in their series of presidential primaries ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Trump movement</span> Conservative opposition to Donald Trump

The Never Trump movement, also called the #nevertrump, Stop Trump, anti-Trump, or Dump Trump movement, is an ongoing moderate conservative movement that opposes Trumpism and 45th U.S. president Donald Trump. It began as an effort on the part of a group of Republicans and other prominent conservatives to prevent Republican front-runner Donald Trump from obtaining the 2016 Republican Party presidential nomination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 California Democratic presidential primary</span>

The 2016 California Democratic presidential primary was held on June 7 in the U.S. state of California as one of the Democratic Party's primaries ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Social media in the 2016 United States presidential election</span>

Social media played an important role in shaping the course of events surrounding the 2016 United States presidential election. It facilitated greater voter interaction with the political climate; unlike traditional media, social media gave people the ability to create, comment on, and share content related to the election.

Media coverage of the 2016 presidential election was a source of controversy during and after the 2016 election, with various candidates, campaigns and supporters alleging bias against candidates and causes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanders–Trump voters</span> American voter group

In the United States, Sanders–Trump voters, also known as Bernie–Trump voters, are Americans who voted for Bernie Sanders in the 2016 or 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, but who subsequently voted for Republican Party nominee Donald Trump in the general election. In the 2016 U.S. presidential election, these voters comprised an estimated 12% of Sanders supporters. At least another 12% of Sanders supporters did not vote for Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton, but also did not vote for Trump.

References

  1. ↑ "The Harvest Praise & Worship Center of Easley, SC". theharvestpraise.org. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  2. ↑ Stone, Peter (May 1, 2023). "Pro-Trump pastors rebuked for 'overt embrace of white Christian nationalism'". The Guardian.
  3. ↑ "The NOW Television Network". thenownetwork.org. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Lovegrove, Jamie (March 18, 2020). "Pastor Mark Burns: From poverty to Trump supporter and now candidate for Congress". The Post and Courier . Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  5. 1 2 Morin, Rebecca (September 3, 2016). "Trump surrogate admits to falsifying biographical claims". Politico .
  6. 1 2 3 Tatum, Sophie (September 3, 2016). "Trump surrogate admits falsifying biographical claims". CNN. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  7. ↑ Flores, Reena (September 3, 2016). "Pastor Mark Burns, Donald Trump supporter, "overstated" biography details". CBS News. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  8. ↑ Blake, Aaron (September 3, 2016). "Trump backer Mark Burns's painfully bad attempts to defend his inflated resume". The Washington Post . Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  9. ↑ Dias, Elizabeth; Tsai, Diane (2016). "Meet Donald Trump's Top Pastor". Time. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  10. ↑ "16 people who shaped the 2016 election: Pastor Mark Burns". Yahoo News. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  11. 1 2 Jagannathan, Meera (May 15, 2016). "Meet Donald Trump supporters from the various groups he's offended — including women, Muslims and Mexican-Americans". Daily News. New York. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 Barnett, Ron (July 14, 2016). "Easley pastor to address Republican National Convention". Florida Today. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Pro-Trump pastor: Bernie Sanders 'gotta get saved'". CNN. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Pro-Trump Pastor Backtracks on Claim That Bernie Sanders 'Gotta Meet Jesus'". Forward.com. July 2, 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  15. ↑ Barnett, Ron. "SC pastor Mark Burns' delivers benediction at Republican National Convention". The State. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  16. ↑ Gass, Nick (August 30, 2016). "Trump surrogate apologizes for Clinton blackface tweet". Politico. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Pro-Trump pastor regrets cartoon of Clinton in blackface, but "not the message"". CBS News. August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  18. ↑ Bradner, Eric; Wright, David (August 30, 2016). "Trump backer apologizes for blackface tweet, but stands by message". CNN. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Outspoken pro-Trump pastor Mark Burns joins the race for Gowdy seat". NBC News. February 16, 2018.
  20. ↑ "South Carolina's 4th Congressional District election, 2018". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  21. ↑ Carlin, Tim (June 15, 2022). "SC Election Results 2022: Trump-backed William Timmons wins District 4 primary". Yahoo! News . Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  22. ↑ Benen, Steve (April 2, 2024). "Why Trump's endorsement of Mark Burns' GOP candidacy matters". MSNBC. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  23. ↑ Ciliberto, Gina (November 5, 2020). "Pastors Work to Stop Evangelicals' Spread of 'Dangerous' Misinformation". Sojourners . Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  24. ↑ Zadrozny, Brandy; Collins, Ben (January 7, 2021). "Trump loyalists push evidence-free claims that antifa activists fueled mob". NBC News . Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Pro-Trump pastor wants LGBTQ "indoctrinators" executed for treason". Newsweek. June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  26. ↑ Bollinger, Alex (June 9, 2022). "MAGA Congressional candidate promises to "start executing people" who support LGBTQ youth". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  27. ↑ Lovegrove, Jamie (March 3, 2019). "Pastor Mark Burns: From poverty to Trump supporter and now candidate for Congress". The Post and Courier.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.