For many Americans observing Holy Week, a period of solemn reflection and repentance leading up to Easter Sunday, a jarring event unfolded. Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, drew comparisons between himself and Jesus Christ amidst his ongoing legal battles. This act, deemed blasphemous by many, has sparked outrage and raised critical questions about the intersection of religion and political rhetoric.
On Holy Monday, while present in a courtroom addressing charges related to hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, Trump amplified a social media post comparing his persecution to that of Jesus Christ. This message, shared on his Truth Social platform, declared it “ironic that Christ walked through His greatest persecution the very week they are trying to steal your property from you.”
The post incorporated verses from Psalm 109:3-8, a passage invoking divine retribution against false accusers. By sharing this, Trump positioned himself as an innocent victim of persecution, mirroring the biblical narrative of Jesus’ suffering. The selected verses also included a pointed plea for his accusers to face punishment, stating, “Let his days be few, and let another take his office.” An American flag icon was notably embedded within the scriptural quote, further politicizing the religious reference. Trump endorsed this message with the comment: “Received this morning–Beautiful, thank you!”
The utilization of Psalm 109:3-8 is not a novel tactic. These verses have been previously weaponized by white Christian nationalist groups to target political opponents, dating back to the Obama administration. While the shared quote stopped at verse eight, the broader context of Psalm 109, likely understood by Trump’s followers, escalates into disturbing calls for violence and revenge. Verses 9 and 10 read:
Let his children be fatherless, And his wife a widow. Let his children continually be vagabonds, and beg; Let them seek their bread also from their desolate places.
The gravity of this scripture and Trump’s “beautiful” endorsement cannot be understated. These verses have been repurposed by some white evangelical circles into prayers for the demise of political figures like Barack Obama and Joe Biden, extending to hateful desires for the suffering of their families. This calculated deployment of scripture, akin to Trump’s inflammatory “bloodbath” rhetoric, provides a veneer of deniability while subtly inciting followers to condone or even perpetrate violence.
This comparison to Jesus is not an isolated incident. Previously, in a speech to white evangelical broadcasters at the National Religious Broadcasters annual meeting, Trump invoked the concept of substitutionary atonement, portraying himself as a savior figure for his supporters. He stated, “I’ve been very busy fighting and, you know, taking the, the bullets, taking the arrows. I’m taking ’em for you. And I’m so honored to take ’em. You have no idea. I’m being indicted for you….”
Alt text: Donald Trump speaking at the National Religious Broadcasters annual meeting, highlighting his white Christian nationalist vision.
Adding to the controversy, on Holy Tuesday, Trump began promoting a “$60 God Bless the USA Bible.” His promotional message on X read: “Happy Holy Week! Let’s Make America Pray Again. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless The USA Bible.” In a promotional video, flanked by American flags and reading from a teleprompter, Trump asserted:
This [God Bless the USA Bible] is very important, very important to me. A lot of people have it. You have to have it, for your heart, for your soul…. All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many. It’s my favorite book. It’s a lot of people’s favorite book. This Bible is a reminder is that the biggest thing we have to bring back America, to make American great again, is our religion…. Christians are under siege but must protect content that is pro-God. We love God, and we have to protect anything that is pro-God. We must defend God in the public square and not allow the media or the left-wing groups to silence, censor, or discriminate against us. We have to bring Christianity back into our lives and back into what will be again a great nation.
This “God Bless the USA Bible” is more than just scripture; it’s a physical embodiment of Trump’s white Christian nationalism. Bound within its cover are the King James Version of the Bible, alongside foundational American documents like the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the lyrics to Lee Greenwood’s patriotic anthem, “God Bless the USA.” This amalgamation, as noted by Jemar Tisby, has roots in a reactionary sentiment against the Black Lives Matter movement.
Alt text: Robert P. Jones promoting a live conversation with Sarah McCammon about her book “The Exvangelicals”, highlighting discussions on religion and modern society.
Reports indicate that Trump benefits financially from this Bible through a royalty deal, linked to the same company associated with his branded sneakers and NFT trading cards. This commercialization of faith during Holy Week, coinciding with legal and financial pressures, is seen by many as deeply disrespectful. In Christian theology, the act of claiming divine attributes or treating sacred matters with contempt is termed blasphemy.
The silence from Christian leaders, particularly white evangelicals who are a key demographic for Trump, in the face of these actions is deeply concerning. This silence suggests a troubling complicity in the degradation of Christian values and national discourse. Trump’s actions during Holy Week are not merely political maneuvering; they represent a profound challenge to religious integrity and a stark example of the dangers of conflating political power with religious reverence.
Alt text: Image relating to article discussing Trump’s rhetoric and its implications, focusing on the dangers of extremist language in political discourse.
