Former US President Donald Trump is making headlines once again, this time for his bold statements comparing himself to Jesus and his efforts to transform the Republican Party into a Church of Trump. On Tuesday of Holy Week, 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, which includes patriotic documents and a country music song. Just a few days later on Good Friday, some of Trump’s loyal followers were even likening his perceived persecution to the crucifixion of Jesus.
Trump’s push for a Christian nationalist movement is exemplified by the Society for American Civic Renewal (SACR), an exclusive men-only organization aiming to establish an authoritarian extreme Christian nationalist state. Founded by US businessman Charles Haywood, SACR requires members to be male, heterosexual, and “un-hyphenated” Americans, excluding women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Mormons from joining.
The Claremont Institute, a far-right conservative think tank, is closely associated with SACR and has been a staunch supporter of Trump’s efforts to reshape the Republican Party. Trump’s political creed is seen as an attempt to create a Church of Trump, with Christian nationalism at its core.
Christian nationalism is not limited to the United States, as leaders like Vladimir Putin in Russia and Viktor Orbán in Hungary also promote similar ideologies. Putin has aligned himself closely with the Russian Orthodox Church, while Orbán advocates for a united front of Christian nationalists in Europe and the US.
Critics of Christian nationalism argue that it undermines democratic principles and promotes discrimination and violence. John Alonso Dick, an historical theologian, warns against the dangers of conflating religious beliefs with political power, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the separation of Church and State.
As Trump continues to rally his supporters around a vision of Christian nationalism, the debate over the role of religion in politics is sure to intensify in the lead-up to the next presidential election.