Donald Trump has taken a new step in his appeal to evangelical Christians by reading a passage from the Bible urging repentance. The event, part of a week-long public reading of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, raises questions about the separation of church and state and the unwavering support of evangelicals for the former president.
Trump's Biblical Appeal
In a video from the Oval Office, Trump read from 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." This passage was reportedly chosen for its popularity among Christians as a political and spiritual call to action.
This comes shortly after Trump shared an AI-generated image depicting him as a Jesus-like figure healing the sick. Critics see this as a pattern of Trump doubling down on his religious persona, despite his legal troubles, including convictions for falsifying business records in a hush-money scheme and findings of sexual abuse and defamation.
Evangelical Support Holds Steady
While Catholic support for Trump has wavered, with polls showing less than 50% backing, evangelicals remain steadfast. This loyalty is largely due to Trump's delivery of a rightwing Supreme Court majority that helped restrict abortion rights. Evangelicals lack a central moral authority like the pope, making them more dependent on political leaders.
The event, "America Reads the Bible," was organized by Bunni Pounds, a Fox News-touted "visionary" who runs Christians Engaged and the Family Policy Alliance, a lobby group promoting conservative policies. The stated goal is to encourage a return to spiritual foundations, though critics point to contradictions with Trump's policies on war, immigration, and foreign aid.
Observers question whether evangelicals have a red line that Trump could cross. For now, his biblical performances seem to resonate with this key constituency, despite broader controversies.
