Trump's Truth Social post of himself in a flowing white robe and red vest with bright light extending from each hand while healing a sick man, and then his implausible explanation that he thought the image was of himself as a Red Cross worker, is causing somewhat of a split in his evangelical base, according to former Christian talk-radio host Janet Mefferd.
“I think that this has been a very important line in the sand for Christians and the chatter online is decidedly against him,” Mefferd said.
But that’s not true for all evangelical Christians, in her observation.
“The famous Christians appear to be more forgiving than the rank-and-file Christians who don't have any political attachment to Trump formally,” she said.
Mefferd says the possible split in his evangelical base could hardly come at a worse time. Trump could possibly improve things, she believes, but it would require a response outside of his typical character.
“I do think it could have catastrophic implications for the down-ticket candidates at the midterms. I don't see without a much bigger response or apology for what he's been tweeting lately or posting on Truth Social lately, that it could be any other way.”
Critics expressed concern over what many saw as Trump presenting himself as a healer or savior figure.
“Two things are true: a little humility would serve him well; God shall not be mocked,” wrote Riley Gaines, herself a sort of campaign poster for keeping biological males out of women’s sports, one of Trump’s big second-term agenda items.
Brilyn Hollyhand, a leading young Republican influencer, wrote: “This is gross blasphemy. Faith is not a prop. You don’t need to portray yourself as a savior when your record should speak for itself. The same God who saved Trump’s life from that bullet sent His son Jesus to die for our sins. He died for Trump just as much as for you and I.”
Mefferd says the president's social media posts have always been chaotic but seem to have gotten worse in his second term.
“It could be narcissism, a-la Barack Obama. It could be some kind of megalomania. It could be some sort of revenge motive. It could be that he just doesn't care anymore about holding back.”
