In the inaugural episode of CP’s “Politics in the Pews” podcast, titled “Trump Conviction, Political Chaos Spark Historic Election Cycle,” host Ian Giatti delves into whether Donald Trump is the candidate who best embodies a Christian worldview. Giatti speaks with notable Evangelical leaders—including Wayne Grudem, Ralph Reed, Samuel Rodriguez, Jason Yates, and others—to gather their perspectives on the 78-year-old Republican presidential nominee.
Giatti begins by noting Trump’s historic legal troubles: in May 2024, he became the first former president to be convicted of a felony, with a New York jury finding him guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. Trump dismissed the conviction as a "scam" and a "rigged trial," claiming that his opponents are attempting to win through legal battles because they can't win at the polls.
Despite this setback, the conviction seemed to energize Trump’s base. His campaign raised a record $53 million within 24 hours of the verdict, and his strategic move to join TikTok resulted in over 4 million followers in just two days, surpassing President Joe Biden’s campaign account.
However, Giatti points out that the political implications of Trump's conviction are multifaceted. Wayne Grudem, a prominent conservative commentator, has expressed concern about Trump’s candidacy. Grudem warns that if Trump remains in the race and secures the Republican nomination, he is likely to lose the general election, which could be disastrous for both the Republican Party and the nation, as he argued in a Newsweek op-ed.
Among white Evangelical Christians, Trump’s support has surged. Recent caucus entrance polling reveals that 55% of respondents identified as white Evangelicals, with 53% voting for Trump—a significant increase from 2016, when only 21% of white Evangelicals supported him.
Ralph Reed, founder of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, discussed the dilemma facing Evangelical voters. He noted that Christian voters are now choosing between two flawed candidates with starkly different positions on abortion, a crucial issue for Evangelicals. While acknowledging Trump’s shortcomings as a role model, Reed argued that for those who view abortion as a critical moral issue, Trump remains the preferable choice.
Despite his strong support among Evangelicals, Trump has faced criticism from within the community. Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, advocates for independent voting among Hispanic Christians. He argues that unwavering loyalty to any political party can hinder progress on Gospel-centered and biblically-based policies. Salguero’s concerns are echoed by others who criticize Trump’s rhetoric on immigration and other issues.
Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, contends that Trump’s policies have brought tangible benefits. He advises voters to "put the tweets aside" and consider the "remarkable return on investment" from Trump’s presidency.
Giatti suggests that the debate within the Evangelical community transcends specific policies, touching on the broader role of Christian values in politics. Denise Gibson, a pro-life advocate, expressed frustration over the Church's politicization and the failure to hold Trump and other candidates accountable for compromising on crucial issues like abortion. She questioned why the Church seems to prioritize political support over truth.
Jason Yates of My Faith Votes expressed skepticism about another record-breaking Evangelical turnout for Trump in 2024, noting that opinions on Trump are deeply polarized, even within Christian circles.
In contrast, author and commentator Craig Huey predicted a significant Evangelical turnout, with the majority voting for Trump. Huey reflected on the 2020 election and observed a lack of engagement among pastors and Evangelical volunteers, but he believes 2024 will see a more mobilized Church, with up to 84% of Evangelicals expected to vote.
Giatti concluded by urging Christians to “get out and vote,” emphasizing that, regardless of individual views on Trump, voter participation is a unifying call for all.