Christian Nationalism and the Trump Effect
A Betrayal of the Teachings of Jesus?
As an observer from beyond the United States' borders, I am deeply troubled by the concerning alliance between many Christians and Mr. Trump. I believe the unsettling turmoil unfolding in the USA has profound global consequences. No one, and certainly, no Christians, can escape being drawn into this vortex. I'm surprised by the numerous conversations I have with Christians who dismiss my concerns as unfounded and view me as part of the "radical left" due to the questions I have raised about Mr. Trump's words and deeds. Out of respect for them and as a spiritual exercise, I've spent time distilling my thoughts and feelings, seeking to identify the core of my dark disquiet. I offer these reflections, inviting you to consider this issue with the care and nuance it so desperately deserves.
1. Moral Hypocrisy in Political Allegiance: As followers of Christ, we are called to walk in consistency, upholding the same moral standards for all, regardless of political affiliation. Yet, many of my fellow Christians have been all too willing to overlook or excuse the deeply troubling behaviour of Donald Trump - his adultery, vulgar language, and boastful objectification of women. Meanwhile, they have been quick to condemn similar actions in others, such as Bill Clinton. This selective, politically-motivated application of morality inevitably undermines the credibility of Christian ethics. If we truly believe that character and integrity matter, then we must grapple with how our support for a leader whose actions so blatantly contradict the teachings of Jesus reflects upon our witness to the world.
2. Erosion of Christian Witness: In embracing an alliance with the ways of Donald Trump, some of us risk diminishing the transcendent, world-transforming essence of our faith to a mere political instrument. For the rhetoric and conduct of Mr Trump often stand in direct contradiction to the life-giving teachings of Jesus - his words and deeds marked by division, self-aggrandisement, and a disregard for the humble, self-giving love that Jesus modelled for us. And in tying the fortunes of the Gospel to such a figure as Mr Trump, I fear we have given the world the impression that our Christian witness is more about political expediency and allegiance than the radical, world-altering vision of the Kingdom o
f God. We must resist this temptation, and instead keep our eyes fixed firmly on the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
3. Truth, Integrity, and the Challenge of Trump’s Falsehoods: The troubling tendency of Donald Trump towards falsehoods, exaggerations, and a disregard for truth - what some have called "bullsh*tting" - poses a significant challenge for those of us in the Christian community who are called to embody honesty and integrity. His tactics, including sowing fear and spreading misinformation, foment confusion, distrust, and division, undermining our vocation as peacemakers and truth-tellers. By aligning ourselves with such behaviour without rigorous critique, we risk becoming complicit in dishonesty and prioritising political power over our spiritual mission. To maintain the moral credibility of our witness, we must resist the normalisation of falsehoods and recommit ourselves to truth as a central value of our faith and our engagement with the world.
4. Rejection of Forgiveness and Repentance: At the very heart of the Christian faith lies the transformative message of repentance and forgiveness. Yet, Mr Trump's open defiance of this central tenet is deeply troubling. By unapologetically refusing to seek forgiveness, he stands in stark contrast to the humility and redemption that are foundational to our spiritual journey. For those of us who seek to follow the way of Christ, the decision to align themselves with a leader who rejects these core principles raises an important question: Are we prioritising our political ambitions over the integrity of our faith? This is a crucial crossroads where we must choose whether to remain steadfast in our commitment to the life-giving teachings of Jesus, or to become entangled in the web of power and self-interest.
5. Tribalism Over Faith: Mr. Trump has fostered a tribal mentality among certain Christians, where loyalty to him often takes precedence over fidelity to the teachings of Christ. By portraying Trump as a saviour figure or defender of Christianity, some leaders have intertwined faith with political power, distorting the church’s mission to remain centred on the Gospel. Teachings that challenge his agenda or call for humility, compassion, and justice are frequently dismissed as the influence of the “radical left,” further polarising believers and undermining the church’s ability to stay true to its spiritual calling. This conflation erodes the integrity of faith itself. I fear even Jesus, if he was alive today, would be the subject of mid-night tweets labelling him a "socialist" or "radical left lunatic" for his pronouncements on the poor and the marginalised.
6. Mishandling of Abuse and Racism: Mr Trump inflammatory rhetoric, such as referring to opponents as "vermin" and immigrants as "poison," dehumanises people and disregards the biblical truth that all are created in God's image, deserving dignity and respect. His divisive language and policies have heightened racial tensions, fostering division and undermining justice—values central to the Christian faith. As followers of Christ, we are called to confront racism, injustice, and the dehumanisation of others. Aligning with such rhetoric betrays the core principles of our faith. Our allegiance must remain with Christ, prioritising love, justice, and the inherent worth of every person, rather than partisan loyalty.
7. Drift Toward Cultural Christianity: Many Christians have embraced Mr Trump as a champion of their conservative values, even as his personal conduct and policies openly conflict with the teachings of Christ. His presidency fuels a troubling trend towards a "cultural Christianity" that prioritises political power and cultural dominance over genuine spiritual renewal. This reduces the Christian faith to a mere political brand, rather than the life-transforming journey that Jesus calls us to. Such a trajectory moves us away from the radical, subversive vision of God's kingdom and towards a kind of Christendom that seeks to impose its will through the coercive force of government, that rather than winning hearts and minds through humble, self-giving love.
8. The Dangers of Christian Nationalism: Project 2025 represents an attempt by Trump-aligned conservatives to consolidate executive power under the banner of far-right Christian ideals. While it pretends to defend religious liberty, this initiative risks conflating the Christian faith with a political quest for dominance. This movement merges faith with patriotism in ways that distort the very essence of the Gospel. This ideology elevates national identity above the spiritual principles at the heart of our faith, transforming Christianity into a tool for cultural supremacy rather than a call to love and serve others.
As I work my way through these concerns, I think I can crystallise me thoughts as 5 concerns:
1. I am concerned that supporting Mr Trump as a “defender” of Christianity risks turning him into an idol, placing loyalty to a political figure or national identity above allegiance to Christ, distorting the Gospel’s true message.
2. I am concerned that Christian nationalism, often tied to Trump’s rhetoric, uses faith as a tool for political goals, mirroring secular power struggles and undermining the transformative and countercultural nature of true Christianity.
3. I am concerned that aligning with Mr Trump’s power-grab has caused many outside the church to view Christianity as hypocritical and politically motivated, eroding its moral authority and alienating those seeking authentic faith.
4. I am concerned that the pursuit of cultural dominance through authoritarian tactics promoted by Trump contradicts Jesus’ teachings on humility, love, and sacrificial service, risking the abandonment of the heart of the Christian faith.
5. I am concerned that Trump’s habitual falsehoods and disregard for truth challenge Christians’ commitment to honesty as a reflection of God’s character, risking complicity in dishonesty and undermining the Gospel’s call to truthfulness.
As people of faith journeying through these tumultuous geopolitical currents, we must ask critical questions: What will future generations discern about the choices we make today? Will they perceive a Church that steadfastly upheld the teachings of Christ - of love, truth, and justice - or one that bartered away its prophetic voice for fleeting political gain? The answer rests not merely in our words, but in the concrete steps we take in this moment.
Congratulations on launching the sub stack, I agree that it is a vital time to speak out and to reach more people in the theological dialogue who might not otherwise have an opportunity to engage with your work. There is a lot here but I think a couple of things are important to add. First this political regime and Trump specifically are very transactional. They lean into a form of Christianity because it works for them politically. If it were to stop working, or work less reliably they would back off. So in that is some hope that it can be turned around. Secondly they are what political scientists (see Levitsky and Way) would call competitive Authoritarian. They are competing to move society away from democratic norms. I think that in this is a a possible strategy because even among the most serious Trump supporters I expect that many did not think through the loss of those norms. Framed the right way that may be an entry point for moving the conversation in a different direction. Things are grim but I hold onto hope.