Televangelist Pat Robertson stepping down as the regular host of ‘The 700 Club’
Brian Reese
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Televangelist Pat Robertson is stepping down as the regular host of the Christian Broadcasting Network’s flagship show, “The 700 Club.”
The 91-year-old announced on the 60th anniversary of CBN’s first broadcast in Virginia Beach that he’ll focus on teaching students at Regent University, the school he founded in 1977.
“Today’s show will be my final as host of The 700 Club,” Robertson said Friday. “My replacement will be my very capable son, Gordon, who will take over as full-time host of the program.”
Robertson, who started “The 700 Club” program in 1966, says he will still appear on a monthly interactive episode of the show to answer viewer emails and return for other appearances on occasion.
“‘Good and faithful’ doesn’t even begin to describe my father’s service to CBN for 60 years. His legacy and the example of his prayer life will continue to lead The 700 Club in the years to come,” Gordon Robertson said. “And the best part is, he is just going across the street to Regent University and will be on The 700 Club regularly in the future.”
Gallery: Pat Robertson through the years
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, accompanied by Rev. Pat Robertson, gives a thumbs up to the crowd after speaking at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Rev. Pat Robertson gestures as he poses a question to Republican presidential candidate former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush during a Presidential candidate forum at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., Friday, Oct. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
FILE – In this Sunday, Feb. 14, 1988, file photo, Republican presidential candidates, Vice President George Bush, from left, Pat Robertson, Rep. Jack Kemp, Pierre “Pete” du Pont and Senator Bob Dole pose before starting their last debate before the primary in Goffstown, N.H. Pierre S. “Pete” du Pont IV, a former Delaware governor and congressman who sought the 1988 Republican presidential nomination, has died at age 86. Du Pont, a scion of the family that established the DuPont Co., died at his home in Wilmington, Del., on Saturday, May 8, 2021, after a long illness, his former chief of staff, Bob Perkins, said. (AP Photo/Jim Cole, File)
Evangelist Pat Robertson is seen at left as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney campaigns at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Va., Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
368950 03: Christian Coalition President Pat Robertson discusses John McCain on NBC”s ”Meet the Press” May 7, 2000 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Michael Smith/Newsmakers)
Republican presidential hopeful Pat Robertson during a campaign stop in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Saturday, Feb. 13, 1988. The New Hampshire primary on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Herb Swanson)
FILE – In a Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007 file photo, Pat Robertson endorses Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani during a news conference on in Washington. Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson, 79, underwent 10 hours of surgery to repair a heart disorder and is back in Virginia recovering, a spokesman said Monday, Aug. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File)
**FILE**This photo provided by The Christian Broadcasting Network shows Gordon Robertson, left, with his father Pat Robertson in Virginia Beach Va., in this undated file photo. Robertson is turning over his duties as chief executive officer of the Christian Broadcasting Network to his son but will remain chairman. (AP Photo/Christian Broadcasting Network, File)
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Back in February 2018, Robertson suffered an embolic stroke, but CBN said at the time he was expected to make a full recovery.
He has been appearing on “The 700 Club” regularly since, continuing to inject conservative Christian right-wing politics into the show’s CBN News segment. His commentary on abortion, same-sex marriage and more on the show has repeatedly been criticized through the years.
Robertson, who launched a failed bid to be the Republican nominee for president in 1988, regularly expressed support for former President Donald Trump and said that God told him Trump would win the 2020 election, ushering in the end of the world.
“What I think very frankly is the only thing that will fulfill the word of Jesus … is some kind of asteroid strike on the globe,’’ he said. “It’s sudden destruction. It’s not going to be some nuclear war. We’re not going to be allowed to blow this earth up.’’
Robertson wrongly predicted the end of the world multiple other times, and talk of the Bible’s Book of Revelation and the rapture are prevalent on the show.
CEO of Christian Broadcasting Network and son of founder Pat Robertson, Gordon Robertson, gestures during a interview at CBN headquarters in Virginia Beach, Va., Monday, April 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Meanwhile Gordon Robertson has served as a co-host and executive producer of The 700 Club for two decades and typically would fill in on Fridays. He took over as CEO of CBN in 2007.
