My Take | A biblical guide to Trump and the US election
- American evangelicals may have a better appreciation of the apocalyptic danger of what’s happening in the Middle East than Trump and his liberal critics. The only problem is that they may welcome it
Donald Trump was once asked what his favourite story in the Bible was, and all he could say was that the Good Book had always guided his life. Since he couldn’t cite a single example, I take that to mean he is probably as ignorant of the Bible as his legions of enemies among the liberal commentariat in the United States are.
But while the liberal literati have nothing but intellectual contempt for Christian fundamentalists, Trump has always grovelled to them because he needs their votes. American evangelicals have long been the backbone of Republican support.
Early this week, he told a religious gathering in Florida: “Christians, get out and vote, just this time. You won’t have to do it any more.”
Many commentators take that to mean he intends to become dictator for life if he is elected again in November. I admit that would be the obvious implication.
After all, he and his most fanatical allies went to extraordinary, often illegal lengths to deny the result of the 2020 election. These included filing dozens of futile legal challenges, pressuring state officials to dispute the results, fomenting an insurrection at the US Capitol, and even now, claiming the last election was rigged.
However, Trump is purely transactional when it comes to business and politics – and probably his sex life too, judging from court testimony from his one-time bedmate and porn star Stormy Daniels. He would basically say anything to anyone to get their vote or donation, or whatever he wants from them.