Harold Camping Employee Estimates $100M Spent on Doomsday Advertising

A longtime employee at Family Radio said Harold Camping spent around $100 million to advertise his May 21 end times prediction.

Matt Tuter, Family Radio’s international projects manager, said most of that money came not from donations, but from the sale of property – more specifically, KFTL television and an FM station.

"A lot of reporters have got it wrong," he told The Christian Post. "The largest portion of money did not come from donors."

All that money, nevertheless, was basically used "to make a fool of himself to the whole world," Tuter commented.

It is now Monday, two days after the rapture was supposed to happen, according to 89-year-old Camping. He has remained in his home in Alameda, Calif., since his prediction – that the end of the world would begin at 6 p.m. in each time zone on Saturday – was proven false.

Camping, who co-founded Family Radio, is expected to make a statement in a live radio and television broadcast Monday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.

While the public awaits his statement, Tuter noted to The Christian Post that Camping has actually made at least 10 predictions for the end times, though only a couple were announced publicly.

"I was here for nine out of the 10," Tuter said.

The projects manager maintained that he is not a follower of Camping. Rather, he is an employee of Family Radio, which his mother volunteered at when he was a baby.

"I remember when the organization was normal!" he said.

"It was not always about Harold Camping. And I hope it will not be like that. Family Radio is a fine ministry. Other than Harold Camping's program, the other programs are normal."

Though some remember Camping as a fine Bible study teacher at a Reformed church some decades ago and ponder when the shift into a false prophet occurred, Tuter noted, "His brother said he (Camping) has always been like that since he was a child."

"To Harold," the employee said, "parables are parables that can have different interpretations. That's why he can keep coming up with all these predictions."

Most of the staff at Family Radio do not believe in Camping's Judgment Day predictions, he pointed out.

He even tried to convince some donors – who were going as far as letting their homes go to foreclosures in order to support the Judgment Day campaign – against making the contributions.

"I told them clearly, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said seven times in seven different ways, be prepared but the date is unknown.'"

Tuter also directed them to Deuteronomy 18 to illustrate that Camping is a false prophet.

Unfortunately, many families – mainly working class citizens – still chose to take drastic steps, such as quitting their jobs and spending their life savings on Judgment Day ads, thinking their life on earth would end on May 21.

Tuter had critical words for Family Radio's Board of Directors, who haven't shown up at the office since Thursday.

"They are the ones who are responsible for this mess," he said, adding that the board members place emphasis on Camping's authority more than listening to the voice of Jesus.

Hudson Tsuei contributed to this report from Oakland, Calif.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.