James Dobson, the influential evangelical Christian psychologist who founded Focus on the Family and later served on Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory board, has died at the age of 89.
Dobson’s death was announced by the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, which described him as a psychologist, author, broadcaster and longtime advocate for traditional Christian views on marriage and family.
A Conservative Brief article published this week described Dobson as a former Trump adviser and highlighted his decades of influence in American evangelical Christianity and politics.
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1936, Dobson initially built his career as a clinical psychologist before founding Focus on the Family in 1977.
The organization grew from a radio program offering Christian-oriented parenting and marriage advice into one of the country’s most prominent evangelical ministries. At its height, Dobson’s broadcasts aired on thousands of radio stations and reached audiences internationally.
Dobson also authored dozens of books dealing with parenting, marriage, religion and cultural issues, including “Dare to Discipline” and “When God Doesn’t Make Sense.”
His influence eventually expanded from family counseling into national politics.
Dobson became a prominent conservative Christian voice on abortion, same-sex marriage, pornography and other cultural issues. He advocated for greater political engagement among evangelical Christians and became involved in policy discussions with multiple presidential administrations.
The James Dobson Family Institute said he advised five U.S. presidents during his career and received appointments from Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He later served on Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board during Trump’s rise to the presidency.
The source article similarly noted that Dobson’s political influence included advising presidents and working to connect conservative Christian communities with the Trump White House.
Dobson’s political advocacy also drew significant criticism from opponents who disagreed with his positions on LGBTQ rights, abortion and family policy. Supporters, meanwhile, credited him with helping bring evangelical concerns into national political debate.
Dobson stepped down from leadership at Focus on the Family before establishing the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute in 2010, according to the Conservative Brief.
Through the new organization, he continued broadcasting “Family Talk” and remained active in religious and cultural debates.
“Dr. Dobson was a pioneer — a man of deep conviction whose voice shaped the way generations view faith, family and culture,” Gary Bauer, senior vice president of public policy at the institute, said following his death.
Dobson’s family said his work would continue through the organizations, broadcasts and writings he created over several decades.
He was survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley, their children Danae and Ryan, daughter-in-law Laura and two grandchildren.
