Glenn Beck apologizes to Donald Trump for 2016 opposition

Talk radio host Glenn Beck on Thursday issued a public mea culpa for fiercely opposing President Trump in 2016 and warning on air that Mr. Trump was an aspiring despot.

Mr. Beck said Mr. Trump proved him wrong on nearly every count, not only by keeping his seemingly impossible campaign promises but more importantly by displaying deep humanity.

“I am feeling so humbled this week. I feel truly horrible for the things I said and believed in 2016 about @realDonaldTrump,” Mr. Beck said in a series of tweets.

He sent out the apology as Mr. Trump prepared to accept the nomination for another term at the Republican National Convention.

Mr. Beck, who runs the conservative media empire TheBlaze TV, said in 2016 that opposing Mr. Trump was a “moral, ethical choice.”

“He proved me wrong at almost every turn,” he wrote in the apology tweets, noting that Mr. Trump delivered on a pro-life agenda, completely supporting Israel and standing up to China.

Mr. Beck recalled how he erroneously predicted Mr. Trump would take control federally at the first opportunity.

“Here we are in a massive crisis. Bush ’violated the free market to save the free market,’” he said. “Trump could have violated federalism ’to save federalism’ yet he has stood firm through COVID.”

The most painful mistake, he said, was doubting Mr. Trump’s empathy.

“I believed he actually didn’t care about people. When @realDonaldTrump called me after my father’s death, I assigned the motive to politics — AND SAID So. What haunts me this week is how my words must have hit his children.”

Mr. Beck also said he regretted not apologizing this week in an on-air interview with Mr. Trump’s son.

“I didn’t want to embarrass myself in the end and failed to do the right thing again,” he wrote.

Mr. Beck said he did not regret having doubts or expressing them on air but expressed disappointment in himself for not recognizing Mr. Trump’s humanity.

“I knew he loved his children and they him,” he said. “What I failed to see, is the reason I think they love him. @realDonaldTrump is a loud New Yorker with a private heart.”