A longstanding relationship with Donald Trump has helped elevate local pastor Dr. Darrell Scott to part of the President-elect's transition team.
Scott pastors the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights. He confirmed that he was joining Trump's Tranisition Team Executive Committee via Twitter on Wednesday.
My sincere thanks to President Elect Trump for selecting me to be part of his Transition Team Executive Committee. #MAGA
— Dr.Darrell Scott (@PastorDScott) November 30, 2016
Scott told WKYC Channel 3's Chris Tye that he met Trump five years ago when a friend invited him to pray with a group of black and white ministers at Trump Towers, along with the eccentric businessman considering a run for President.
During that visit, Scott pushed Trump on why the African-American community should back him. “I didn’t detect even a hint of racism in him, either explicitly or implicitly. He talked about how jobs were the key to improving the inner city. He said a lot that impressed me,” Scott told Tye.
Trump decided not to run, but a friendship formed.
“I would talk and text with Trump and his senior staff over the years, and when he was considering another run, I told them I was happy to help,” Scott said.
Four years later he stepped up in a big way. He introduced Trump at a rally at the I-X Center before the Ohio primary election. Scott then hosted Trump and a large statewide group of pastors at the New Spirit Revival Center in September. Trump taped an appearance on The Sean Hannity Show there.
Scott recently told WKYC Channel 3's Hilary Golston that Trump will be a president for all Americans, not just some Americans – helping to usher in a “golden age” in the United States.
For his support of Trump, Scott has been blasted on social media.
“Money have these preachers selling their souls. A black man supporting banning people...you['re] a disgrace,” one person wrote him on Twitter.
“Disgusting, what is he paying you?” another person wrote.
Scott tells WKYC Channel 3 no money has ever changed hands between the two. But the criticism is fierce and loud.
“People call me an Uncle Tom, they question my motives. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I believe Donald Trump is what’s best for the black community, I have met him and he is authentic,” Scott said.