WATCH: Donald Trump Tells Supporters He’ll ‘Bring Back’ Penn State Coach Joe Paterno
Head Football Coach Was Fired After Enabling Child Sex Abuser, Died in 2012
Donald Trump Wednesday evening told supporters at a Pittsburgh rally he’s going to bring back Joe Paterno. The billionaire businessman who claims to be a great dealmaker will need to have connections that are literally out of the world, as the Pennsylvania State University head coach died in 2012.
“I know a lot about Pennsylvania, and it’s great. How’s Joe Paterno. We’re gonna bring that back? Right?,” Trump asked. “How ’bout that whole deal?”
The following is a REAL quote from Donald Trump today: “[Joe] Paterno was a great guy.”
I swear I’m not kidding.
— Corey Cohen (@CoreyECohen) April 13, 2016
Trump begins quest for Sorcerer’s Stone in order to resurrect Joe Paterno pic.twitter.com/kSXw6wMVH6
— Ian McKenna (@Ian_McK_) April 13, 2016
That “whole deal” includes the fact that Paterno tried to retire but instead was fired when it was revealed he protected and effectively enabled child sexual molester Jerry Sanduski, now 72, who was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison months after Paterno’s death.
It’s unclear how Trump did not know Paterno is dead, or of the child sexual molestation scandal that brought “JoePa” – and his statue – down, devastating not only Penn State, but the nation. And if he did know, why bring it up, much less fondly, with a sense of nostalgia for bygone days that, it turns out, were never really what they seemed.
Some responses via Twitter:
Why is anyone surprised that Donald Trump wants to bring back Joe Paterno when he’s been trying to resurrect Hitler for his entire campaign?
— OhNoSheTwitnt (@OhNoSheTwitnt) April 14, 2016
Y’all should stop making fun of Trump for not knowing Joe Paterno passed. He knew. He just thinks he has enough delegates to raise the dead.
— Caleb Howe (@CalebHowe) April 14, 2016
Trump obviously meant when are we going to bring back the Paterno statue and then, subsequently, Paterno back from beyond, through sorcery.
— Katherine Miller (@katherinemiller) April 14, 2016
The weird thing about Trump isn’t that he doesn’t know Joe Paterno’s dead. It’s that he thinks pandering for him will help him in Pittsburgh
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) April 14, 2016
Donald Trump, in Pittsburgh, has already promised to bring back coal, steel, and Joe Paterno.
Next up: Napoleon, triceratops, Pangea
— Derek Thompson (@DKThomp) April 13, 2016
UPDATE:Â
Trump spokeswoman tells reporters he was referring to the Paterno statue when he asked, “How’s Joe Paterno? Are we gonna bring that back?”
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) April 14, 2016
Â
This article has been update to correctly identify Paterno’s association was with Pennsylvania State University

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |