CLEVELAND, OH - Just before his speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday, an anonymous source within the GOP revealed that Evangelical leader Jerry Falwell, Jr. was paid 30 pieces of silver for his hearty endorsement of Donald Trump for President of the United States.

According to the source, after Trump received widespread scorn from Evangelical leaders early in his campaign, Falwell reached out with an offer to betray his Christian values in favor of a full-throated endorsement of the billionaire - for the specific sum of 30 pieces of silver.

Trump agreed immediately, and Falwell has been singing his praises ever since.

Aside from the moral ramifications of accepting a bribe for a political endorsement, experts were puzzled by the seemingly small amount Falwell demanded for his support of the controversial magnate.

"You'd think he would have asked for more than 30 pieces of silver," one political pundit said. "I guess there's some symbolic meaning behind it or something."