What does the Christian right see in Trump?

Image: Leonardo.ai

Whenever I hear that the Christian right supports Donald Trump, I cringe.

Jesus didn't teach what Trump is preaching to the world. Even when he doesn't say anything, Trump's actions speak volumes about his worldview.

Jesus called his followers to be humble, forgiving, generous, and loving to one another. He didn't call for followers to spend their time and energy preparing for life after death. Focus on the here and now, not the hereafter. It was about living what you believe by serving others.

I especially appreciated how this was captured at the church I attended before COVID. Their motto: "Life is a gift, and love is the point." That pretty much summarizes what Jesus was getting at. Here are a few of Jesus' teachings from the Gospel of Matthew (with one deviation into the Old Testament Book of Leviticus). Compare them with how Trump manifests these Christian values:

Turn the other cheek

"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also."  -- Matthew 5:39

This is comical to consider. If anyone does Trump wrong, he will bring revenge and retribution. It might not be immediate, but it will come. Trump holds a grudge like few others.

Love your enemies

"[L]ove your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, . . ."  -- Matthew 5:44b

Yeah, no. That's not happening.

Trump creates enemies as a way to unite his voter base to hate the "other." By targeting immigrants, racial minorities, women, and transgender people, he distracts his followers from noticing how he is acting against their interests. 

Give to the needy (in secret)

"When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets . . . to be honored by others."  -- Matthew 6:2 

 To Trump, the needy are "losers." He wouldn't give to the needy unless he saw a clear upside for himself.

Welcome the foreigner

Taking a slight diversion from the New Testament:

"When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."  -- Leviticus 19:33

To Trump, the foreigner is the enemy. On July 19, 2024, he said[1]:

“We also have an illegal immigration crisis, and it’s taking place right now, as we sit here in this beautiful arena. It’s a massive invasion at our southern border that has spread misery, crime, poverty, disease and destruction to communities all across our land.”

Can you imagine the executive order that would implement this verse?

No, neither can I. 

Do not judge

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged."  -- Matthew 7:1

Now, I might be guilty of this one myself. I've been cherry-picking verses from the Bible and examining Trump's behavior through those lenses.

To be clear, I can't see Trump's heart or read his mind, so I can't judge him the same way God might. I can only see his actions and use teaching from the Bible to discern how I should vote (or protest, or petition, or take other political action).

That leaves me with a final puzzle. Why does the Christian right vote for Trump?

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