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Trump praises Schlafly as ‘hero’ of conservatism

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump pays respects to the late Phyllis Schlafly before her funeral Saturday at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri. Trump delivered remarks before the funeral Mass, but left immediately after and did not attend the funeral. Schlafly died Sept. 5 at her home in Ladue, Missouri. She was 92. (Lisa Johnston / Lisa Johnston St. Louis Review)
By Ashley Jost and Kristen Taketa St. Louis Post-Dispatch

ST. LOUIS – Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Saturday at the funeral for conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly that the “movement has lost its hero.”

Trump praised Schlafly for being an early and ardent supporter of his presidential candidacy, during brief remarks to 2,000 mourners at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

“Phyllis was there for me when it was not at all fashionable, believe me,” said Trump, characterizing Schlafly as a “happy warrior, always smiling. But boy, she could be tough.”

Addressing the congregants following the candidate’s departure, Andrew Schlafly said Trump honored his mother with his presence.

“Politics was never disruptive to Phyllis Schlafly,” the son said.

Schlafly, 92, died Monday after a brief illness.

The Eagle Forum founder cemented her legacy in the 1970s in a long and ultimately successful effort to defeat the Equal Rights Amendment.

President Ronald Reagan credited Schlafly’s work on behalf of conservative causes with elevating him to the White House in 1980.