The newly elected mayor of Coeur d’Alene in Idaho, Dan Gookin, has faced accusations of making inflammatory remarks about Christians following the resurgence of a video compiling his social media rants. Gookin, who secured 34.2% of the vote to unseat the incumbent mayor and two rivals, has a history of conflicts with the local Republican Party despite running as a GOP candidate.
The video, which resurfaced after his election, features clips where Gookin describes Christians as “the rudest, most disrespectful jerks I have ever seen” and claims Jesus would tell them to “get the fk” if he were alive today. However, Gookin has defended the comments, arguing they were taken out of context. He explained that some quotes referenced broader criticisms of social media platforms or individuals who mocked Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg under the guise of Christian identity.
Gookin acknowledged his “salty” language and apologized for his passion, stating he becomes frustrated when “extremists are trying to destroy my community.” He also criticized the “far right” for misrepresenting his statements, comparing their actions to historical efforts to distort religious teachings.
The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee initially condemned the video but later dropped a defamation lawsuit against Gookin after reaching a settlement involving $25,000 from his insurance company. Gookin has also defended local businesses targeted by critics for supporting conservative figures.
In a statement, Gookin praised voters for electing him, claiming they made “a good decision” and expressing readiness to serve the city.
