Renowned Christian singer Michael Tait is facing a torrent of allegations that accuse him of sexually assaulting and grooming underage men during a key period in his career.

According to CBN, the accusations, which span a decade and involve detailed testimony from alleged victims, have prompted widespread backlash, industry upheaval, and a personal confession from Tait himself.

Tait, a founding member of DC Talk and longtime frontman of the Newsboys, is at the center of investigative reports published in June 2025 by The Guardian and the Roys Report. These investigations drew on testimony from at least 25 individuals connected to Christian music during the early 2000s. Allegations against Tait include claims that he groomed teenage boys, used drugs and alcohol to manipulate them, and sexually assaulted them, sometimes while they were incapacitated.

Two of the reported victims spoke on the record, while four others asserted they were between the ages of 13 and 29 when the grooming began. Most of the men said they were raised in strict evangelical communities where Tait's music was considered a moral compass. In this context, they claimed, it made them vulnerable to abuse from someone they saw as both a role model and an emblem of godliness.

Shawn Davis is one of the men who publicly detailed his allegations. He said Tait pressured him into using drugs and alcohol, and believes he was sexually assaulted as a minor. Another man, who used the pseudonym Gabriel, claimed that the trauma caused him to temporarily abandon his Christian faith. Gabriel said, “Tait was presented as the pinnacle of godliness…that made me walk away from my faith for a while.”

Years-Long Patterns Alleged Across Multiple Reports

The Roys Report separately conducted a more than two-year investigation that concluded earlier this month. In that report, journalists identified at least three men who claimed Tait groomed and sexually assaulted them between 2004 and 2014. Some accounts overlap with those from The Guardian, further bolstering the timeline and consistency of the allegations.

Another alleged victim, Adam, stated that Tait “stole a piece of our souls.” He also claimed to have been drugged and inappropriately touched. Several testimonies included descriptions of being manipulated by Tait under the guise of mentorship or spiritual care, a pattern consistently reported among victims across both investigations.

An unnamed source described the behavior as deeply known within certain music circles, stating, “Knowledge about Tait's predator behavior is so intrinsic to Christian music…any validation of his behavior invalidates the whole industry.” The breadth of the allegations has raised further questions about systemic failures in the evangelical and Christian music communities to hold influential figures accountable.

Response From Tait and Other Industry Voices

On Instagram, more than a week after the reports became public, Tait issued a confession. He acknowledged living “two distinctly different lives” and admitted that he had misled his fans and community. While disputing certain details, Tait notably said he "did not dispute the substance" of the charges against him.

In his post, he took ownership for his actions, stating, “I don’t blame anyone or anything but myself.” This confession, however, has not stemmed the criticism or calls for broader accountability within Christian entertainment networks and ministries. The statement sparked additional conversations about how inappropriate behavior can hide under the cover of religious status and fame.

In the wake of the public backlash, members of the Newsboys, the Christian rock band Tait led for years, shared that they were “devastated” by the reports. They encouraged other victims to come forward and expressed deep concern about the implications for their community. Industry insiders also criticized the culture of secrecy and protectionism that some claim allowed Tait's actions to continue for years unchecked.

Major Christian Broadcasters Take Action

In response to the allegations, major Christian radio stations have taken significant steps to distance themselves from Tait’s music. K-LOVE, the largest Christian radio network in the U.S., confirmed that it has removed all Newsboys and DC Talk songs from both its primary rotation and its online Decades playlist.

A K-LOVE spokesperson told CBN News that while they are aware of the allegations, the network is focusing on those affected. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved,” they said, adding that programming decisions consider many factors, including audience trust and the seriousness of recent events.

Other Christian broadcasters have followed suit, either removing Tait-affiliated content or pausing its use indefinitely. For many fans and staff, the response is part of a larger reckoning with how faith communities handle allegations of abuse, especially when prominent figures are involved.

Victims Push for Broader Accountability

Some victims say the Christian music industry's failure to act sooner contributed to ongoing trauma. One survivor told The Guardian that people in the industry fall into three categories: “Those who are victims and terrified, those who know and wait, and those who keep working with him for profit.”

The growing body of public testimony has intensified calls for investigations within churches, record labels, and ministry platforms associated with Tait. Advocates are urging Christian leaders to examine how structures of power and celebrity may have prevented justice or silenced survivors.

Though many victims express ongoing pain, some expressed hope that the story’s exposure could bring healing and reform. Gabriel, reflecting on his journey, said that despite the devastation, he eventually found his way back to faith. “He took something from me I’ll never get back,” Gabriel said. “In time, though, I found my way back to God.”