With their champion, Sen. Ted Cruz, now out of the presidential race, activist groups opposing abortion and same-sex marriage say they will bide their time and assess Donald Trump before deciding whether to back him as the Republican nominee.
During months of campaigning, Trump has made some statements about abortion and gay rights that pleased social conservatives and others that unsettled them. That inconsistency, coupled with various liberal-leaning comments he made in past years, has deprived Trump of an enthusiastic embrace by the social conservative camp.
Now, with Trump the presumptive GOP nominee, there are recalculations being made by activist leaders who had backed Cruz, such as Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council.
"I endorsed Ted Cruz because of his clarity and conviction on issues that are central to our mission," said Perkins "Now I'm going to step back and see what Donald Trump says."
Two critical factors for Perkins: Who Trump picks as a running mate and what signals he sends about how he'd vet future judicial nominees.
Perkins also said that Trump — if he wants to solidify support from social conservatives — should study up on the details of their views.
"He needs to surround himself with people who understand these issues, and he needs to listen to them. I'll be watching who he brings around him," Perkins said.
Similar caution was voiced by Cruz supporter Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage. The group was a major player in the unsuccessful campaign to prevent the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage.
"We will take our time to assess options and determine whether Mr. Trump is willing to engage in a discussion of the importance of these issues," Brown said in an email.
Trump's mixed commentary on gay rights issues has irked activists on both the left and right. For example, he has expressed misgivings about a North Carolina law curtailing rights protections for LGBT people, and he has also faulted the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that struck down state bans on same-sex marriage.
During months of campaigning, Trump has made some statements about abortion and gay rights that pleased social conservatives and others that unsettled them. That inconsistency, coupled with various liberal-leaning comments he made in past years, has deprived Trump of an enthusiastic embrace by the social conservative camp.
Now, with Trump the presumptive GOP nominee, there are recalculations being made by activist leaders who had backed Cruz, such as Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council.
"I endorsed Ted Cruz because of his clarity and conviction on issues that are central to our mission," said Perkins "Now I'm going to step back and see what Donald Trump says."
Two critical factors for Perkins: Who Trump picks as a running mate and what signals he sends about how he'd vet future judicial nominees.
Perkins also said that Trump — if he wants to solidify support from social conservatives — should study up on the details of their views.
"He needs to surround himself with people who understand these issues, and he needs to listen to them. I'll be watching who he brings around him," Perkins said.
Similar caution was voiced by Cruz supporter Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage. The group was a major player in the unsuccessful campaign to prevent the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage.
"We will take our time to assess options and determine whether Mr. Trump is willing to engage in a discussion of the importance of these issues," Brown said in an email.
Trump's mixed commentary on gay rights issues has irked activists on both the left and right. For example, he has expressed misgivings about a North Carolina law curtailing rights protections for LGBT people, and he has also faulted the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that struck down state bans on same-sex marriage.