Mr. Trump’s appeal to Christian voters

It was a warm but overcast Saturday afternoon. About 100 protesters were shouting in front of the White House, telling the man who lived there that they admired him, they appreciated what he had done, but now it was time for him to leave.

“Hey hey, ho ho, thank you, Joe, it’s time to go,” the crowd chanted.

They belong to a strong coalition supporting former president Donald Trump, with white Christians being a key part.

In the early 1970s, 90% of Americans identified themselves as Catholic. But by 2020, this number dropped to 64%. The Pew Research Center notes that if recent conversion trends continue, Christians could make up less than half of the US population within the next few decades.

So when Trump issued a ruling abolishing abortion rights in 2022, they celebrated that their faith was preserved. And when he promised to turn them back into a political force, they unanimously supported him.

“We have to bring our religion back,” Trump told National Religious Broadcasting earlier this year. “We have to bring Christianity back to this country.”

According to an analysis by commentator Shadi Hamid from Washington Postafter Trump expressed his support for Christian nationalism in the 2016 election, people from this group contributed to his victory. Membership in Catholic churches has since increased, spurred by Trump supporters looking for a place to practice their faith.

“They became Christians because of its political significance,” Hamid wrote. “Among non-Christian whites who supported Trump in 2016, about 16% began identifying as religious in 2020. This again shows that it’s politics, not religion , is the factor that motivates them”.

This group’s affection for former President Trump can be seen at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee in July.

“Let Trump fever rise. Let Trump fever rule again,” Wrestler Hulk Hogan stirred up the crowd at the event. Tearing off the black shirt with the American flag printed on it to reveal a red T-shirt with the words Trump – Vance inside, he used a strange phrase suitable for both fans and protesters to describe the former president. system.

“Let Trump fever make America great again,” Hogan shouted.

Throughout the four days from July 15 to 18, the RNC became pure celebration. One speaker after another competed to release praise for Trump and criticism of his Democratic opponent, still President Biden at that time.

The platform announced by the Republican Party at the convention is not like dry, old policy documents, but like a Trump speech filled with bombastic statements and unverified information. But few in the room were skeptical that the former president would, after all, return to the White House.

For Trump, the fact that he dominated President Biden in public opinion polls three weeks ago made the convergence of Republicans even sweeter.

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien is the head of a union that once supported Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Biden, stepping on stage to call the former president a “tough guy.”

Many of the faces who competed against Trump in the primaries now deny their own criticism of the former president just months ago.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley angered Trump loyalists earlier this year when she refused to leave the race for the Republican nomination and called him “toxic.” At the convention, she completely surrendered when she declared, “Donald Trump has strong support from me, period.”

With his face beaming from his seat at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum arena, Trump was completely captivated by the atmosphere at the event. With a large white bandage on his ear covering the wound from his previous failed assassination attempt, he looked happy and extremely excited as wrestler Hogan chanted on stage.

In the eight years since he first entered the White House, Trump has forced Republicans to accept his view that anything but absolute loyalty is betrayal, anything less Absolute domination is a failure, and God-fearing Americans will lose everything they hold dear in their country if he does not return to the White House.

“Four months from now, we will have an incredible victory and we will begin the greatest four years in the history of our country,” Trump said on stage on the final day of the convention with the same confident demeanor. like that of someone who has never failed.

That night, he really wasn’t a loser. In the hall, the admiring crowd believed Trump won the 2020 election. They believed the election was rigged. And they know Mr. Biden is in a difficult position.

Some Christians in the arena admitted that Trump’s multiple marriages, accusations of adultery, uncontrolled language or rude behavior were worrying. But they were also fascinated by how he overcame scandals, financial failures and criminal prosecutions.

“Together, we will usher in a new era of safety, prosperity and freedom for citizens of every race, religion, color and creed,” Trump said. “The discord and division in our society must be healed. We will rise together, or we will fall. I am running to be president for all of America, not half America”.

For nearly 10 minutes, Trump stuck to his prepared speech, promoting the solidarity and reconciliation that his campaign pledged after the failed assassination attempt. Those in the crowd, dozens of whom wore earbands to show solidarity with the former president, nodded in agreement.

But then he went on for another hour and 20 minutes of accusations, grievances and lies, in a speech so rambling that even loyal supporters had to look at their watches.

But before that, he was able to tell a story that no limelight enthusiast could resist. The story is about one beautiful afternoon, he was shot but did not try to run away but still stood firm, hands raised high, not bowing his head.

“I shouldn’t have been here tonight,” he said solemnly.

“Yes!”, the crowd continuously shouted in response to the former president’s words.

“Thanks, but no.” Trump said, shaking his head. “I stand before you in this gymnasium only by the grace of Almighty God.”

The crowd once again became excited.