Why Trump's Persecution Narrative Resonates With Christian Supporters
Feb 2, 2024
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Candida Moss, a theology professor and author of "The Myth of Persecution," dives into Donald Trump's narrative of being persecuted amidst his legal troubles. She examines how this rhetoric resonates with his Christian supporters by drawing parallels to historical persecution within the faith. Moss highlights the dangers of conflating political criticism with true persecution and discusses how cultural shifts have influenced evangelical responses. The conversation also reveals how victimhood rhetoric shapes political identities and power dynamics among religious communities.
Trump's persecution narrative resonates with his Christian base due to the significant meaning of persecution in Christianity, which represents righteousness and God's support.
The rhetoric of persecution has been deeply ingrained in American identity and serves as a powerful rhetorical weapon to shield individuals from criticism, fostering unwavering support.
Deep dives
The Rhetoric of Persecution in American Christianity
Donald Trump has consistently portrayed himself as a target of various forces and claims to be persecuted. This rhetoric resonates strongly with his white evangelical Christian base. The idea of persecution holds a significant meaning in Christianity, representing a sign of being righteous and having God's support. This narrative allows powerful Christian groups to never fully be disagreed with, as any disagreement is framed as an attack or religious war. The politicized rhetoric of persecution began in the 1960s when evangelical Protestants perceived cultural movements as threats to their faith. The religious right in the 1970s saw removal of prayer and Bible reading in schools as an attack on Christianity. Trump supporters who identify with this rhetoric interpret criticisms of him within this framework, viewing his indictments as evidence of persecution and crimes against justice.
Historical Origins and Political Weaponization of Persecution
The idea of persecution in Christianity can be traced back to the historian Eusebius during the reign of Roman Emperor Constantine. Eusebius presented those who disagreed with him as successors to persecutors, polarizing the world into attackers and the persecuted. The rhetoric of persecution became deeply ingrained in American identity, with the Pilgrims' flight from religious persecution as a foundational narrative. In the 1960s, the religious right saw cultural shifts like the feminist movement and secularization as attacks on Christianity. This rhetoric gained strength in later years with movements such as LGBT rights. Trump's claims of persecution resonate with his supporters, who have heard similar cries from the pulpit, and they interpret criticisms of Trump through the lens of persecution, reinforcing their belief in his righteousness.
The lasting power of the rhetoric of persecution
The idea of persecution remains an influential rhetorical weapon even when individuals attain political power. Trump continued to claim he was attacked throughout his presidency, bolstering his supporters' belief that he was unjustly targeted. The inflammatory rhetoric of persecution disconnects from historical events, allowing its continual use as a shield against criticism, regardless of how powerful an individual may be. This rhetoric serves to buffer supporters from any criticism and reinforces their perception of Trump as a victim. This perception remains valuable in political discourse and can be weaponized to deflect any disagreement or criticism, fostering unwavering support.
Former president Donald Trump is facing dozens of criminal charges, including four felony counts on charges of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Trump says he's being persecuted, and that idea resonates with his Christian base.
