A former adviser to Donald Trump and a prominent psychologist and evangelical leader who shaped American debates on faith and family for decades has died at the age of 89.
James Dobson passed away Thursday morning. Born in 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dobson became one of the most influential voices in American evangelical Christianity. Through radio broadcasts, public advocacy, and bestselling books, he reached millions of families with a message emphasizing the central role of faith, marriage, and parenting in American life. Dobson began his career as a clinical psychologist but rose to national prominence in the mid-1970s when he founded Focus on the Family in California. The ministry rapidly expanded, becoming a major platform for evangelical engagement with issues related to family life, education, and cultural change.
By the 1980s and 1990s, Dobson’s daily radio program had become a cornerstone of Christian broadcasting. The show aired on more than 4,000 stations across North America and was translated into 27 languages, reaching audiences in more than 160 countries. “Dr. Dobson was a pioneer — a man of deep conviction whose voice shaped the way generations view faith, family, and culture,” said Gary Bauer, senior vice president of public policy at the James Dobson Family Institute. Bauer described Dobson as a mentor and counselor whose leadership helped guide families through times of cultural change.
