Politics Over Principle: The Influence of Christian Nationalism on Donald Trump

Former US President Donald Trump is making headlines once again, this time for his bold statements and actions during Holy Week. On Tuesday, Trump declared that the Bible is his favorite book and urged his supporters to purchase his special ‘God Bless the USA Bible’ for $59.99. This unique Bible includes copies of important American documents such as the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, along with country music singer Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA”.

Just a few days later, on Good Friday, some of Trump’s loyal followers went as far as comparing his perceived persecution to the crucifixion of Jesus, much to Trump’s delight. The 45th US president is now actively working to transform the Republican Party into what some are calling the Church of Trump, drawing both praise and criticism from various quarters.

One such group that has emerged in support of Trump’s vision is the Society for American Civic Renewal (SACR), an exclusive men-only fraternal order that aims to establish an authoritarian extreme Christian nationalist state in the US. SACR, which requires members to be male, “trinitarian” Christians, heterosexuals, and “un-hyphenated” Americans, has been likened to the Broederbond, a white men-only group from apartheid-era South Africa.

Trump’s association with Christian nationalism has also drawn comparisons to other world leaders, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who have embraced similar ideologies. As the debate over Christian nationalism continues to unfold, it raises important questions about the intersection of religion, politics, and power in today’s world.