After Greg Locke, a right-wing preacher and vocal Trump supporter, took to Twitter in an attempt to discredit Stephanie Clifford (aka Stormy Daniels), after her appearance on 60 Minutes, CNN's Jake Tapper responded with a Bible passage.
"The funny thing is @realDonaldTrump is still the President and she's still a hooker. #StormyDanielsDay" Locke, the founder of the Global Vision Bible Church in Tennessee, tweeted.
Locke's reaction to Clifford is not uncommon; many men and women, citing their support for the president, have claimed Clifford's story, an account of the threats and intimidation she was subjected to from the moment Donald Trump initiated an affair with her in 2006, is not credible precisely because of her work in adult films.
The funny thing is @realDonaldTrump is still the President and she’s still a hooker. #StormyDanielsDay— Pastor Greg Locke (@Pastor Greg Locke) 1522007343.0
Locke's tweet quickly garnered the attention of Jake Tapper, who responded with a series of tweets quoting a Bible passage.
Luke 7: 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so… https://t.co/Y7kzyF6Jll— Jake Tapper (@Jake Tapper) 1522080621.0
Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him sa… https://t.co/ipTYF3lTmO— Jake Tapper (@Jake Tapper) 1522080621.0
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people owed money… https://t.co/ESxdrnlyv1— Jake Tapper (@Jake Tapper) 1522080622.0
”...Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “… https://t.co/yx5unfiA5Z— Jake Tapper (@Jake Tapper) 1522080623.0
”...You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You… https://t.co/N097s37fB7— Jake Tapper (@Jake Tapper) 1522080623.0
46 “...You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins… https://t.co/2P4qga6FG5— Jake Tapper (@Jake Tapper) 1522080623.0
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman,… https://t.co/TnxvnyZylr— Jake Tapper (@Jake Tapper) 1522080624.0
Locke tried to defend himself in response.
"Great passage for sure," he wrote. "He [Jesus] changed her life by love and grace. She didn't continue living in it and then get on national television to garner more attention for her nonsense. Context is key. The fact is, you hate my support of Trump w/out a Bible."
@jaketapper Great passage for sure. He changed her life by love and grace. She didn’t continue living in it and the… https://t.co/w7kUrQHx5O— Pastor Greg Locke (@Pastor Greg Locke) 1522092606.0
Tapper replied: "I have complete indifference to your feelings about any politician. But you might want to reconsider a refresher course. Hint: the passage is not 'hey, go throw stones!'"
@pastorlocke I have complete indifference to your feelings about any politician. But you might want to reconsider… https://t.co/t3KvQqylxb— Jake Tapper (@Jake Tapper) 1522092958.0
Locke has made headlines in the past for angry tirades leveled against the LGBT community; he has advocated for the right for "Christian" businesses to turn away LGBT customers. He once reacted with anger after someone donated to Planned Parenthood in his name, prompting his critics to donate more than $3,000 to the organization.
Locke's disregard for Daniels, note some observers, is not dissimilar to the way he regards other women. According to Locke’s now-ex-wife Melissa, who sat down with Seth Dunn, a Christian writer at Pulpit & Pen, Locke has a history of domestic violence and often mocked her appearance. She had the text messages to prove it:
When news of the divorce became public, Locke told The Christian Post that his wife was mentally ill.