Jerry Falwell Jr., son of Moral Majority co-founder Jerry Falwell and ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, is taking an "indefinite leave of absence" as president and chancellor of Liberty University just days after posting a photo of himself on social media with his gut exposed and his pants unbuttoned.
Also appearing in the photo, which Falwell quickly deleted, is a young woman _ whom Falwell had his arm around _ wearing unbuttoned shorts with an exposed midriff.
"The Executive Committee of Liberty University's Board of Trustees, acting on behalf of the full Board, met (Friday) and requested that Jerry Falwell, Jr. take an indefinite leave of absence from his roles as President and Chancellor," read a statement from the college.
The Daily News reached out to the Lynchburg, Va., school for comment on Friday and received a response from Scott Lamb, the university's senior vice president of communications and public engagement. He told The News, "This statement from the Board of Trustees is all there is for today."
Falwell claimed during a Thursday interview on radio station WLNI that the photo was taken on a yacht during a "Trailer Park Boys"-themed party. He claimed the woman in the photo was his wife's assistant.
"I should never have put it up and embarrassed her," Falwell said on air.
Expressing regret for the photo, he claimed he told his kids that he's "gonna try to be a good boy from here on out."
Comedy series "Trailer Park Boys" chronicles a group of low-class guys trying to earn cash through petty crimes while dodging cops.
On Thursday, one prominent politician publicly stated he was fed up with Falwell's shenanigans.
"Jerry Falwell Jr.'s ongoing behavior is appalling. As a Music Faculty Advisory Board Member and former instructor at Liberty University, I'm convinced Falwell should step down," tweeted former pastor and current North Carolina Congressman Mark Walker on Thursday. "None of us are perfect, but students, faculty, alumni and (Liberty's gospel choir) deserve better."
In late March, the 58-year-old father of three was criticized for reopening his Christian university after spring break during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak.
On March 23, the same day more than 1,000 Liberty students returned to campus, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam ordered a statewide shutdown of all K-12 schools, reported NBC News at the time.
