Donald Trump exploits evangelical Christians' anxieties

The argument

Trump’s 2016 campaign ran on a platform of bringing back lost American and Christian values. He argued that the Democratic Party was failing to uphold these ideals, presenting himself as the last line of defence against liberal views and policies. This has not changed in his 2020 bid for re-election. A strong rhetoric of protecting the American people from threats within and outside the nation’s borders. That is what evangelicals hear from Trump’s speeches. The inaugural speech often serves American presidents to provide hope and many showcase a positive outlook for their term in office. Trump did neither. In 2016, Trump’s inauguration speech brought to mind an almost apocalyptic view of America which he sought to shield his supporters from. He presented a flawed view of America and presented himself as a political outsider with the answers to these problems. This resonated with evangelical Christians. Many feel attacked by progressive views and policies. To them, the main cause for concern is the erosion of American values which they see through increased access to abortion and contraceptives, increased support for the LGBTQ+ community. These policy changes and progressive discourse poses a threat to their way of life and culture. With Trump validating these concerns and presenting himself as an alternative, he has effectively used the fears of the evangelical community to further his political agenda and increase his base

Premises

Counter-arguments

Evangelical Christians did not vote for Trump but against Hillary Clinton. Trump’s rhetoric echoes that of many Republican presidents to date and for many he was the obvious pick from the beginning. The fear which motivates evangelical Christians does not originate from Trump’s discourse, but the changes they see progressives enacting and pushing for. Trump did not give them a reason to vote for him, but a platform for their voices to be heard.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Campaigning on the restoration of values and on threats to the country describes a rhetorical style common to many candidates; the premise does not show that this rhetoric created the anxieties rather than addressing ones already held. [Rejecting P2] "Exploits" attributes an intention that speeches and their reception cannot establish, and the counter offers an alternative the argument does not rule out: that the concerns predate the candidate and that the vote was cast against the opposing nominee.