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Praying in the Oval Office. A photoshoot with the Bible raised. Mike Pence, as ultra-conservative vice president, by his side. These are images that are specifically aimed at an influential group of voters. The largest religious stream in America that Donald Trump could bring back to the White House in November.
Steve Warren, Evangelikaler Pastor
“I believe that God made Donald Trump president to advance this nation.”
President Trump and Evangelical Christians – It’s a remarkable alliance.
The man who made his living from casinos in the past. Who has been divorced twice and was involved in an affair with a porn star. How was this president of all people able to rally tradition-conscious evangelicals behind him, and will he succeed again in November?
Visiting Nashville, Tennessee, Fall 2018. We met Steve Warren, an evangelical pastor and country singer who praises Donald Trump in his songs.
Song: “Make America Great Again. Vote Trump …”
We are now contacting him again via Skype and would like to know: Will Steve vote for Trump again in November?
Steve Warren, Pastor
“Let me put it this way: promises made, promises kept. Donald Trump has accomplished exactly what he promised in advance for this country. For ordinary people as well as the church I represent.”
An attitude that preaches: He’s also using his church in Cookville, Tennessee for election campaigns these days.
Steve Warren, Pastor
“We are not an abortion clinic. The church is a place where people live and do not die. What do I mean by that? Well, find out for yourself who stands up for what and vote accordingly. There is a man whom God takes over. charge that is against abortion. Amen. “
Trump hasn’t just convinced Steve Warren of himself. 80 million Americans refer to themselves as evangelicals, a movement within Protestantism that is particularly faithful to the Bible. In 2016, 81 percent of white evangelicals voted for Donald Trump. The approval ratings have dropped a bit recently. According to a study by the Pew Research Center in Washington DC in late June, only 72 percent now want to vote for a second term. Even so, evangelicals are still among Trump’s top supporters. It is an alliance of convenience that endures.
Christian Lammert, political scientist FU Berlin
“The relationship between Trump and white evangelicals cannot be described as moral or religious, it is simply a political interest group. Trump also sees evangelicals as an interest group that supports him. And he knows that he gets support when he does. it complies, and it does. “
For example, when he was the first president of the United States to appear in the so-called “March for Life,” the anti-abortion parade, earlier this year.
Donald Trump, President of the United States
“We are here for one simple reason: to defend the right of all born and unborn children to develop their God-given potential.”
Trump based his Middle East policy on the goals of evangelicals:
Donald Trump, President of the United States
“I recognized the true capital of Israel, opened a US embassy in Jerusalem and recognized the Land of Israel and its sovereignty over the Golan Heights.”
And after the death of liberal Constitutional Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Trump wants ultra-conservative Amy Coney Barrett as his successor: a deeply religious Catholic who could help the Supreme Court overturn the 1973 “Roe v. Wade” ruling that pregnant women have the right to decide for themselves about an abortion.
These images sparked a particularly controversial debate: During the “Black Lives Matter” protests, the President of the United States forcibly cleared the way to a church and then posed with a Bible. But with Steve Warren, the awkward staging was apparently well received:
Steve Warren, Evangelikaler Pastor
“I’ll tell you what I thought: I thought this was his way of telling the American that he was defending the gospel. He didn’t use the Bible for support. He didn’t do it just to see and to be heard, or to cover up something. Not the president of this nation. I believe in it with all my heart. “
Trump’s Strength: Gathering People Who Speak Directly with Evangelical Voters. Paula White, for example, pastor of a megachurch in Florida that broadcasts all services live. White is now Trump’s spiritual advisor. (Florida, July 23, 2020)
Or Pastor Robert Jeffress, who already supported Trump in the 2016 election campaign and regularly sets the mood for him on Fox News.
Trump takes advantage of the fact that church and state are separate in America, but religion and politics are not. He probably doesn’t care much about the faith of his followers. What counts are the votes. He made this openly clear in 2018 in a meeting with evangelical pastors at the White House.
Donald Trump, President of the United States
“Thank you to the friends and believers who are here tonight. You are really special people. Your support has been incredible. But I don’t think I owe you because I have done so much for you too – all that I promised.”
Christian Lammert, political scientist FU Berlin
“In the United States, nearly 25 percent of voters describe themselves as evangelicals. And if you look at the 2016 election results: nearly half of Trump’s voters are evangelicals. Without this group, he he cannot win the election. This group is, of course, historically conservative and has always voted Republican. But he has to make it clear over and over again, because he himself cannot be accepted by this group of voters even with his resume and his character, which he keeps on fulfilling and that’s why he needs these symbolic appearances. People, put them together, do your own sermons, to be documented in the Oval Office. I’m still delivering. You can still choose me.
Steve Warren of Tennessee caught this staging four years ago, and he still trusts Trump.
Steve Warren, Evangelikaler Pastor
“I believe that God made Trump president. And if God has chosen him, no other person can replace him.”
