{"id":2477386,"date":"2025-08-21T18:59:01","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T22:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/james-dobson-christian-leader-and-trump-ally-dies-at-89\/"},"modified":"2025-08-21T19:00:02","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T23:00:02","slug":"james-dobson-christian-leader-and-trump-ally-dies-at-89","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/james-dobson-christian-leader-and-trump-ally-dies-at-89\/","title":{"rendered":"James Dobson, Christian leader and Trump ally, dies at 89"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjames-dobson-christian-leader-and-trump-ally-dies-at-89%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2477386&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>James Dobson, a prominent Christian leader and founder of the evangelical association Focus on the Family, passed away at the age of 89. born in 1936, Dobson established Focus on the Family in 1977 in California before moving it&#8217;s headquarters to Colorado springs in 1991. After leaving Focus on the Family in 2010, he launched the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute. Dobson was known not only for his influence in Christian ministry but also for his involvement in conservative politics, endorsing Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election and serving on Trump&#8217;s Evangelical executive Advisory Board during his first term. He also advised Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Dobson&#8217;s legacy as a champion of Christian faith, family values, and conservative culture has been widely praised by religious leaders, political figures, and organizations. He is survived by his wife Shirley, their two children, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. <br \/> <!DOCTYPE html><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">James Dobson, Christian leader and Trump ally, dies at 89<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2209340\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>James Dobson, an influential <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/beltway-confidential\/3763615\/can-ending-the-war-in-ukraine-get-trump-into-heaven\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Christian<\/a> speaker, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drjamesdobson.org\/dr-james-dobson-dies-89\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">died Thursday<\/a> at 89.<\/p>\n<p>Born in 1936, Dobson is best known as the founder of Focus on the Family, an evangelical organization based in Arcadia, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3763754\/california-supreme-court-declines-halt-gerrymandering-efforts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">California<\/a>, in 1977, before relocating to Colorado Springs, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3760153\/colorado-secretary-of-state-trump-taking-cues-dictator-putin-against-mail-ballots\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Colorado<\/a>, in 1991. Dobson launched the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute in 2010 following his departure from Focus on the Family.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3777559\/xi-jinping-jab-dalai-lama-tibet-religious-affairs-adapt-socialist-soecity\/\">Xi takes jab at Dalai Lama in Tibet, says &#8216;religious affairs&#8217; must &#8216;adapt to socialist society&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3777684\/wes-moore-ed-hale-switches-to-gop-maryland\/\">Wes Moore&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wes-moores-primary-rival-switches-to-gop-hoping-to-boost-chances-of-beating-maryland-machine\/\" title=\"Wes Moore\u2019s primary rival switches to GOP, hoping to boost chances of beating Maryland &#039;machine\u2019\">primary rival switches<\/a> to GOP, hoping to boost chances of beating Maryland &#8216;machine&rsquo;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3777751\/school-property-tax-elimination-on-road\/\">School property tax elimination plan goes on the road<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Dobson is also remembered for his role in conservative politics, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/2016\/09\/james-dobson-why-i-am-voting-for-donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">he endorsed then-presidential candidate Donald Trump<\/a> ahead of the 2016 election. He later served on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/2016\/06\/whos-who-of-trumps-tremendous-faith-advisors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trump&rsquo;s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board<\/a> during the president&rsquo;s first term.<\/p>\n<p>Dobson also played a key role with Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Dr. Dobson was a pioneer &mdash; a man of deep conviction whose voice shaped the way generations view faith, family and culture. His bold leadership, integrity, and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >compassion helped equip countless families<\/a> to thrive in a world of shifting values. He was a mentor, a counselor, and a steady voice of truth in turbulent times,&rdquo; said Gary Bauer, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-confirms-kathleen-hicks-as-deputy-defense-secretary\/\" title=\"Senate Confirms Kathleen Hicks as Deputy Defense Secretary\">senior vice president<\/a> of public policy at the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dr. James Dobson, who founded Focus on the Family, offers a prayer before an appearance by President Donald Trump at a campaign rally, Feb. 20, 2020, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (AP Photo\/David Zalubowski, file)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;Today we remember a hero of the faith. Our Founder, Dr. James C. Dobson, passed away this morning. Although we&rsquo;re sorrowful over this loss, we are thankful for his legacy of family ministry that will live on for future generations, and rejoice that he is now in the presence of our Savior,&rdquo; Focus on the Family said in a statement on X.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Today we remember a hero of the faith. Our Founder, Dr. James C. Dobson, passed away this morning. Although we&#8217;re sorrowful over this loss, we are thankful for his legacy of family ministry that will live on for future generations, and rejoice that he is now in the presence of&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/H8sSsXssos\">pic.twitter.com\/H8sSsXssos<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Focus on the Family (@FocusFamily) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FocusFamily\/status\/1958532943464268014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 21, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;Karen and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing [of] one of our Nation&rsquo;s greatest champions Faith and the American Family, Dr. James Dobson. Dr. Dobson leaves behind a legacy of defending our Christian faith, family and freedom that is unparalleled and will inspire generations,&rdquo; former Vice President Mike Pence said on X.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Karen and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing one of our Nation&rsquo;s greatest champions Faith and the American Family, Dr. James Dobson. Dr. Dobson leaves behind a legacy of defending our Christian faith, family and freedom that is unparalleled and will inspire&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/aySb8Us98T\">pic.twitter.com\/aySb8Us98T<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Mike_Pence\/status\/1958559486500548911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 21, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;Our prayers are with the family of Dr. James Dobson, who went home to be with his Savior today after a brief illness. Dr. Dobson was a staunch defender of the family and stood for morality and Biblical values as much as any person in our country&rsquo;s history,&rdquo; evangelist Franklin Graham said on X.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Our prayers are with the family of Dr. James Dobson, who went home to be with his Savior today after a brief illness. Dr. Dobson was a staunch defender of the family and stood for morality and Biblical values as much as any person in our country&rsquo;s history. For nearly five&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/I8QuP8Y1EQ\">pic.twitter.com\/I8QuP8Y1EQ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Franklin_Graham\/status\/1958532645249290531?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 21, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;Honoring the life of Dr. James Dobson, whose work strengthened families for generations. His book Bringing Up Boys shaped me profoundly as a mom of three sons &ndash; reminding me to raise them as God designed, with love &amp; courage. His legacy will live on through countless families!&rdquo; Erika Donalds, wife of Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), said on X.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Honoring the life of Dr. James Dobson, whose work strengthened families for generations. His book Bringing Up Boys shaped me profoundly as a mom of three sons &ndash; reminding me to raise them as God designed, with love &amp; courage. His legacy will live on through countless families! &#128153; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/i0EOHPUV2h\">pic.twitter.com\/i0EOHPUV2h<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Erika Donalds (@ErikaDonalds) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ErikaDonalds\/status\/1958563592728387944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 21, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;@DrJamesCDobson often recalled the joy of working alongside President Reagan. As he once reflected: &lsquo;Here came a man who had the courage and the conviction to talk about family&hellip; nobody in government talked about family, and no one talked about the sanctity of human life.&rsquo; His legacy of faith and service will not be forgotten,&rdquo; the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation &amp; Institute said on X.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We are saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. James Dobson, a trusted advisor to five U.S. presidents, including Ronald Reagan, and founder of Focus on the Family.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DrJamesCDobson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@DrJamesCDobson<\/a> often recalled the joy of working alongside President Reagan. As he once reflected: &ldquo;Here came a&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/h28yL6V7AZ\">pic.twitter.com\/h28yL6V7AZ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation &amp; Institute (@RonaldReagan) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RonaldReagan\/status\/1958606129509896368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 21, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/politics\/3762204\/bishop-barron-praises-trump-desire-heaven\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>BISHOP BARRON PRAISES TRUMP&rsquo;S DESIRE TO &lsquo;GET TO HEAVEN,&rsquo; SAYS HE WAS &lsquo;STRUCK BY HIS HUMILITY&rsquo;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In July, evangelical firebrand and head pastor of Grace Community Church <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3471736\/evangelical-firebrand-john-macarthur-dies-at-86\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John MacArthur died at 86<\/a>. MacArthur is remembered for his commitment to the Christian faith, his news appearances discussing religion, and his feuds with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/3335671\/case-against-gavin-newsom-california-governor-podcast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gov. Gavin Newsom<\/a> (D-CA).<\/p>\n<p>Dobson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley, their children, Danae and Ryan, their daughter-in-law, Laura, and two grandchildren.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>James Dobson, Christian leader and Trump ally, dies at 89<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2632,"featured_media":2477387,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP25233488543818.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[42849,6499,61703,32229,32845],"class_list":["post-2477386","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-christian-leader","tag-death","tag-james-dobson","tag-obituary","tag-trump-ally"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP25233488543818.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2477386","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2632"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2477386"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2477386\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2477390,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2477386\/revisions\/2477390"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2477387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2477386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2477386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2477386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}