During a recent event in North Carolina, Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for the upcoming election, reflected on the assassination attempt he faced and emphasized the impact it had on his faith. “My faith took on new meaning on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, where I was knocked to the ground, essentially by what seemed like a supernatural hand,” he stated, expressing his belief that God saved him for a purpose: to elevate the nation.
At the gathering, which was described as an “11th-Hour Faith Leaders Meeting,” Trump urged Christian voters to participate in the election to prevent a potential Kamala Harris administration from infringing on religious freedoms. He portrayed himself as a champion for Christians, rallying them to vote, pointing out that historically, their turnout has been disproportionate. “You have a reputation of not voting proportionately,” he said, urging Christians and gun owners to take action. He promised to repeal the Johnson Amendment, which restricts non-profits, including churches, from endorsing political candidates, claiming, “Within the first week, you’re gonna have that right.”
The event included speeches from various conservative figures, including Guillermo Maldonado, who spoke of a spiritual battle between good and evil. “We’re now in spiritual warfare,” he asserted, calling on attendees to reclaim the country. Ben Carson, the campaign’s National Faith Chairman, echoed this sentiment, framing the election as a defining moment for the nation’s relationship with God.
Trump also reflected on his controversial decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a move that faced widespread international backlash. He stated, “We are going to do exactly what a lot of people didn’t want me to do,” asserting the importance of that decision among his evangelical base, many of whom view support for Israel through a prophetic lens.
In his broader agenda, Trump criticized inclusion efforts and gender-affirming healthcare for transgender individuals, pledging to combat what he refers to as the “toxic poison of gender ideology” and reaffirming a biblical view of gender.
Eric Trump, who co-hosted the event, reinforced his father’s narrative, stating there is an ongoing “war against God” from the current administration. He also claimed divine protection for his father, asserting that an angel saved him during the assassination attempt.
The gathering was predominantly influenced by figures from the New Apostolic Reformation, a movement that seeks to establish Christian authority over various societal domains. The faith coalition supporting Trump has seen a merger of traditional evangelical support with more charismatic and prophetic voices, reflecting a broader trend within the religious right leading into the election.
