The ReAwaken America Tour is an American far-right[1][2] and Christian nationalist[3] movement launched in 2021 by Oklahoma entrepreneur Clay Clark and former Donald Trump national security advisor Michael Flynn. Its rallies have promoted a variety of right-wing and far-right conspiracy theories, including, election denialism, QAnon and doomsday prophecies.[4][5][6]

Founder

The ReAwaken America tour was founded by Clay Clark, a business coach and entrepreneur and former mayoral candidate in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[7][8][9] In August 2020, Clark initiated a lawsuit against the city of Tulsa for its mask mandate to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The lawsuit alleged that wearing masks caused oxygen deprivation, leading to "migraine headaches, shortness of breath and dizziness."[10] The lawsuit was dropped in March 2021.[11]

Clark has publicly espoused his belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories. When he spoke at the January 5, 2021 rally held at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C. in support of Donald Trump's protest of the outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Clark told attendees that the coronavirus pandemic was a hoax and instructed them to "turn to the person next to you and give them a hug, someone you don't know. Go hug somebody. Go ahead and spread it out, mass spreader. It's a mass-spreader event!"[12][13]

On a June 2021 episode of the Stew Peters Show, he argued that the COVID-19 vaccine contained luciferase, which he believed was a cryptocurrency technology associated with the Mark of the Beast prophesied in Revelation 13:16-18.[14] This conspiracy theory, according to Clark, included Bill Gates (under the influence of performance artist and alleged Satanist Marina Abramović), and Jeffrey Epstein. Clark accused Gates and Epstein of attempting to create a new race of humans by combining luciferase and Epstein's DNA into the COVID-19 vaccine.[14][15]

At an October 2021 rally in Salt Lake City, Utah, Clark made the unproven claim that "COVID-19 is 100 percent treatable using budesonide, hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin." He also accused George Soros of funding remdesivir, a drug used to treat severe cases of COVID-19 but which Clark said was "killing COVID-19 patients in the hospital because it causes renal failure".[16]

Background and itinerary

Origins

According to Clark, as the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, he asked God, "What can I do to stop the quarantines, the curfews, the mandates, the lockdowns?" The answer he received, Clark said, with "100% of God-ordained clarity . . . was to begin reawakening America."[17] Despite the religious origins of the tour, it has been criticized by major Christian leaders.[18]

In the spring of 2021, Clark inaugurated the "Health and Freedom" events to protest COVID-19 mitigation measures such as masking and vaccinations.[19] According to Clark, he was inspired to undertake the tour by a 1963 prophecy by Charismatic minister Kenneth E. Hagin, who predicted that "there would be an atheistic, communist, Marxist and racially divisive spirit that would descend upon America" and that "the spark of the revival would start from Tulsa, Oklahoma."[17] Clark also stated that he received confirmation of his importance from a 2013 prophecy by the South-African Charismatic evangelist Kim Clement, who identified a "Mr. Clark" about whom he believed God said: "You have been determined through your prayers to influence this nation. You're watching me; you're an influential person. The Spirit of God says, 'Hear the word of the prophet to you as a king, I will open that door that you prayed about.'"[20][17]

As of January 2023, the majority of the ReAwaken America events have been held at churches.[21][22]

2021

In the summer of 2021, the "Health and Freedom" events were rebranded the ReAwaken America Tour, sponsored by Charisma News.[23] In an interview with Rolling Stone, Clark cited a meeting with Michael Flynn — a frequent guest on the tour — as the impetus for turning the Health and Freedom events into a tour, with Clark telling Flynn that "God wants us to do a tour" and Flynn agreeing.[24] While the events (under both names) initially received attention for their opposition to COVID-19 mitigation measures, from the beginning, they also focused significant attention on supporting conspiracy theories related to the 2020 presidential election, including those espoused by QAnon followers.[25][26]

During the November event held at Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, Clark reportedly led attendees in the "Let's Go Brandon!" chant, a euphemism used in place of the more explicit "Fuck Joe Biden!"[27][28][29] At the same event, Michael Flynn stated, "If we are going to have one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion. One nation under God, and one religion under God."[30]

At the December event held at Elevate Life Church in Dallas, Texas, several speakers, including Joe Oltmann and Jovan Hutton Pulitzer, became ill. Oltmann claimed that he was "99%" sure that his symptoms were from contact with anthrax. Clark denied the accusation, saying that what some people believed was an anthrax attack was actually just a fog machine. He also denied being part of the Illuminati.[31][32][33]

In December 2021, Eric Coomer, a former executive at Dominion Voting Systems, filed a federal defamation lawsuit against Clark, his ThriveTime Show, and his ReAwaken America Tour for having "monetized a false election fraud narrative" that produced "a constant drumbeat of outright falsehoods intended to place [Eric] Coomer at the center of a conspiracy theory to defraud the American people." The suit alleges that Clark began his attacks in December 2020 during a podcast interview when he told Joe Oltmann that Coomer "could/should be put to death" for treason.[34]

2022

In early 2022, Clay Clark began incorporating conspiracy theories about the "Great Reset" into the tour.[35][2]

At the March event in San Diego, Michael Flynn said, "We need you to charge the machine gun nest…. Maybe I'm just asking you to dig a little bit deeper there or hold this side of the line, or form up cause we're gonna counterattack over here, and that counterattack is, we're gonna go after school boards." This language led some commentators to charge Flynn with inciting violence against educators for allegedly teaching critical race theory.[36]

One of the themes speakers focused on in 2022 events was the alleged connection between supernatural activity and U.S. politics. At the March event in San Diego, for example, one speaker warned, "Do not be surprised if the Angel of Death shows up in Washington."[37][38] At the May event in Myrtle Beach, Mark Burns told the audience, "You wanna get rid of Lindsey Graham? Then get rid of the demonic territory that's over the land." Roger Stone stated that "there is a Satanic portal above the White House" that first appeared after Joe Biden became president. Stone claimed that the portal "must be closed. And it will be closed by prayer."[39]

In July 2022, the Main Street Armory in Rochester, New York cancelled the ReAwaken America event scheduled there for dates in August, citing “the outpour[ing] of concern from our community.” Prior to its cancellation, the bands Japanese Breakfast and Joywave had cancelled events at the Main Street Armory citing the scheduled ReAwaken America events.[40]

2023

In 2023, two regular ReAwaken speakers, Scott McKay and Charlie Ward, became the subject of controversy for their antisemitic views and public praise of Adolf Hitler. Both men were dropped from the scheduled ReAwaken event at Trump National Doral. The Trump family refused to allow either one onto their property. McKay and Ward remain affiliated with ReAwaken in a broader capacity.[41]

At the second conference at Trump National Doral, Malik Obama was dropped from the schedule for his pro-Hamas views. The Trump family refused to allow Malik onto their property.

Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who had spoken at ReAwaken events in the past, said he was no longer affiliated with the group and asked to have his photo taken off their website.[42]

Media Matters reported in October that the tour was scheduled for a two-day appearance at the Trump National Doral Miami golf resort that month. Scheduled speakers included Trump family members, former administration officials, Trump attorneys and several others associated with conspiracy theories.[43]

Event dates and locations

2021

Date Location City Type of event
April 16–17 Rhema Bible College[44] Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Regular
June 17–19 The River Church[45] Tampa, Florida Regular
July 17–18 Influence Church[46] Anaheim, California Regular
August 19–21 Deltaplex Arena & Conference Center[47] Grand Rapids, Michigan Regular
September 24–25 Charis Christian Center[48] Colorado Springs, Colorado Regular
November 11–13 Cornerstone Church San Antonio, Texas Regular
December 2–3 ThriveTime Show Office Tulsa, Oklahoma Business
December 9–11 Elevate Life Church Dallas, Texas Regular
December 16–17 ThriveTime Show Office Tulsa, Oklahoma Homeschool

2022

Date Location City Type of event
January 14–15 Dream City Church[49] Phoenix, Arizona Regular
February 18–19 Trinity Gospel Temple[50] Canton, Ohio Regular
March 3–4 ThriveTime Show Office Tulsa, Oklahoma Business
March 11–12 Awaken Church[51] San Marcos, California Regular
April 1–2 River Church Salem[52] Salem, Oregon Regular
May 13–14 Carolina Opry Theater[53] Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Regular
June 16–17 ThriveTime Show Office Tulsa, Oklahoma Business
July 8–9 Rock Church[54] Virginia Beach, Virginia Regular
August 12–13 Cornerstone Church[55] Batavia, New York Regular
September 1–2 ThriveTime Show Office Tulsa, Oklahoma Business
September 16–17 Stateline Speedway[56] Post Falls, Idaho Regular
October 21–22 Spooky Nook Sports[57] Manheim, Pennsylvania Regular
November 4–5 Mansion Theatre for the Performing Arts[58] Branson, Missouri Regular
November 10–11 ThriveTime Show Office Tulsa, Oklahoma Business

2023

Date Location City Type of event
January 20–21 Global Vision Bible Church[59] Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Regular
February 2-3 ThriveTime Show Office Tulsa, Oklahoma Business
March 23 ThriveTime Show Office Tulsa, Oklahoma Regular
April 13-14 ThriveTime Show Office Tulsa, Oklahoma Business
May 12–13 Trump National Doral[59] Miami, Florida Regular
June 15-16 ThriveTime Show Office Tulsa, Oklahoma Business
August 25–26 Craig Ranch Amphitheater[59] Las Vegas, Nevada Regular
September 7-8 ThriveTime Show Office Tulsa, Oklahoma Business
October 13-14 Trump National Doral[60] Miami, Florida Regular
December 7-8 ThriveTime Show Office Tulsa, Oklahoma Business
December 15-16 International Agri-Center[61] Tulare, California Regular

List of speakers

The lineup of speakers at each tour event varies.[19][23] The following is a partial list of 2021-23 speakers:[62]

References

  1. ↑ Dinki, Tom (2022-08-12). "ReAwaken America Tour to mix far-right politics, religion in Batavia this weekend". WBFO. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  2. 1 2 Tabrizian-Salem, Ardeshir (2022-01-21). "Far-right "Reawaken America Tour" will bring former Trump officials to Salem". Keizertimes. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  3. ↑ Lardner, Richard; Smith, Michelle R. (2022-10-07). "Michael Flynn's ReAwaken Roadshow Recruits 'Army of God'". PBS. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  4. ↑ Wire, Sarah D. (October 12, 2023). "At far-right roadshow, Trump is God's 'anointed one,' QAnon is king, and 'everything you believe is right'". Los Angeles Times.
  5. ↑ Hagen, Lisa (2022-11-03). "The ReAwaken America Tour unites conservative Christians and conspiracy theorists". NPR. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  6. ↑ Jedeed, Laura (2022-05-18). "The ReAwaken America Tour Is the Start of QAnon 2.0". Intelligencer. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  7. ↑ "Former Tulsa DJ Wants to be Mayor". Public Radio Tulsa. 2009-06-04. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  8. ↑ "29-year-old businessman Clay Clark says he's running for Tulsa mayor". Oklahoman.com. 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  9. ↑ Bates, Michael (July 10, 2009). "Clay Clark withdraws, joins Medlock campaign". BatesLine. Archived from the original on 2009-07-15. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  10. ↑ "Anti-mask group sues city of Tulsa, alleges masks cause oxygen deprivation". Tulsa World. 19 August 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-08-19. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  11. ↑ Killman, Curtis (23 January 2021). "Group drops lawsuit challenging Tulsa mask mandate". Tulsa World. Archived from the original on 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  12. ↑ "Hundreds of Trump supporters flock to DC ahead of vote". AP NEWS. 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  13. ↑ "Pro-Trump Speaker Wants To Turn D.C. Rally Into 'Mass-Spreader Event'". HuffPost. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  14. 1 2 Clay Clark Exposes COVID, PCR Tests, Treatments and ULTIMATE PLAN Behind HOAX Threatening Mankind, retrieved 2021-12-14
  15. ↑ Mantyla, Kyle (2021-06-30). "Clay Clark: The Man Behind the Massive Conspiracy Theory Rallies Happening Around the Country". Right Wing Watch. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
  16. ↑ "COVID denial, communism and QAnon. Conspiracy theory-fueled conference hits Salt Lake City". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  17. 1 2 3 Strang, Stephen. "Clay Clark Explains How Prophecies by Kenneth E. Hagin and Kim Clement Inspired ReAwaken America Tour and Documentary". Charisma News. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  18. ↑ "Christian Leaders Denounce ReAwaken America Tour". Word&Way. 2022-04-08. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
  19. 1 2 Griffin, David. "Conservative Conference Held In Broken Arrow To Address COVID-19 Response". www.news9.com. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  20. ↑ Kumar, Anugrah (24 November 2016). "'Prophet' Kim Clement Dies at 60". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on 2019-07-23. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  21. ↑ Dias, Elizabeth; Graham, Ruth (2022-04-06). "The Growing Religious Fervor in the American Right: 'This Is a Jesus Movement'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
  22. ↑ Homans, Charles (2022-04-24). "A Crusade to Challenge the 2020 Election, Blessed by Church Leaders". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  23. 1 2 "ReAwaken America Tour". The ThriveTime Show. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  24. ↑ Kestenbaum, Sam (2022-09-17). "'I Think All the Christians Get Slaughtered': Inside the MAGA Road Show Barnstorming America". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  25. ↑ "Controversial conference to end with mask burning event in Broken Arrow". KTUL. 2021-04-17. Archived from the original on 2021-04-17. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  26. ↑ "April 16th & 17th - Conference Itinerary". The ThriveTime Show. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  27. ↑ Tooley, Mark (18 November 2021). "Vulgarly reawakening America". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on 2021-11-18. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  28. ↑ "Why the 'Let's go, Brandon' crowd was at home at Cornerstone Church". San Antonio Report. 2021-11-23. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  29. ↑ Nowlin, Sanford. "Cornerstone Church said it 'does not endorse' far-right rally it hosted, yet its pastor spoke from the stage". San Antonio Current. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  30. ↑ Keith, Morgan. "Former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn calls for one religion in America". Business Insider. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  31. ↑ "A bunch of QAnon promoters got sick after a conference—they blame anthrax instead of COVID". The Daily Dot. 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  32. ↑ "People Got Sick at a Conference. They're Sure It's Anthrax". www.vice.com. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  33. ↑ "A bunch of conspiracy theorists got sick after a conference and think it's anthrax". Mic. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  34. ↑ "Dominion Voting's Eric Coomer files new federal defamation lawsuit against conservative talk show host, tour". The Colorado Sun. 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  35. ↑ Stone, Ken (2022-03-11). "Eric Trump, Gen. Flynn, Roger Stone Set to Speak at San Marcos Church on Weekend". Times of San Diego. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  36. ↑ DeVega, Chauncey (2022-03-17). "Donald Trump, Michael Flynn call for violence — they're not kidding, but the media doesn't care". Salon. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
  37. ↑ "Eric Trump, Flynn and other right-wing figures headline conference at San Marcos church". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2022-03-13. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  38. 1 2 McWhinney, Jakob (2022-05-16). "How a San Diego Church Became a Nexus of Anti-Vaccine, Anti-COVID Lockdown and Right-wing Political Organizing". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  39. ↑ "Trump allies warn of "demonic territory," "Satanic portal" over Biden WH". Newsweek. 2022-05-14. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  40. ↑ "ReAwaken America tour in Rochester canceled over 'concern from our community,' Armory owner says".
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  42. ↑ "RFK Jr. not participating in far-right event after being listed as a speaker, aide says". NBC News. 12 May 2023.
  43. ↑ "Trump Doral event with Eric Trump will feature a Hitler-promoting antisemite who killed someone". Media Matters. October 12, 2023.
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  45. ↑ McGregor, George (2021-06-15). "Stone, Flynn, And Lindell Headlining Massive, Three Day Health & Freedom Conference in Tampa, Florida; "Reawaken America Tour" June 17, 18, 19th". The Published Reporter®. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
  46. ↑ "California Pastor puts Faith in Media with Launch of National News and Media Network". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2022-04-15.
  47. ↑ Evans, Ken (26 August 2021). "Far-Right Supporters In Grand Rapids Go Viral For Their 'Unique' Perspectives". Mix 95.7FM. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
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