Donald Trump called on Christian voters to engage in the upcoming 2024 election during an event in North Carolina on Monday. He warned that a Kamala Harris administration would threaten religious freedoms, positioning himself as a defender of Christian values.
The event, dubbed an “11th-Hour Faith Leaders Meeting,” featured several conservative pastors who set the stage for Trump’s remarks. Among them was Guillermo Maldonado, a long-time Trump supporter, who spoke about what he described as a spiritual battle between good and evil that Christians must win. “It’s beyond warfare between the left and the right. There’s a big fight right now that is affecting our country, and we need to take back our country,” Maldonado asserted.
Ben Carson, the National Faith Chairman for Trump’s campaign, emphasized the stakes of the election, claiming it would determine whether the nation remains a secular state or returns to its identity as a nation under God. This rhetoric aligns with the beliefs of some Christian nationalists who advocate for a Christian foundation in American governance.
During his speech, Trump recalled an assassination attempt he experienced in Butler, Pennsylvania, suggesting that divine intervention played a role in his survival. “I would like to think that God saved me for a purpose, and that’s to make our country greater than ever before,” he said. He encouraged Christian voters to participate in the election, noting that many had not been voting proportionately in previous elections.
Trump also reiterated his promise to repeal the Johnson Amendment, which restricts non-profit organizations, including churches, from endorsing political candidates. He emphasized this change would happen within his first week in office if re-elected.
In his address, Trump reiterated his strong support for Israel, referencing his decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, an act that was controversial among world leaders but celebrated by many evangelicals who view Israel as central to biblical prophecy. Additionally, he condemned inclusion and gender-affirming healthcare for transgender individuals, promising to “defeat the toxic poison of gender ideology.”
Eric Trump, who co-hosted the event, echoed his father’s sentiments, claiming a significant attack on religious liberty has occurred under the current administration. He expressed his belief that divine guidance supports his father’s political journey.
The meeting was also linked to Clay Clark, an entrepreneur who co-founded the ReAwaken America tour, which features pro-Trump figures and charismatic Christian preachers. This growing coalition of evangelical leaders positions Trump as a pivotal figure in their spiritual movement, particularly among nondenominational and charismatic Christians.
As the election approaches, Trump's campaign is looking to harness the influence of these faith leaders and their followers, underscoring the critical role that religious sentiment may play in the 2024 election.
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