In the 2016 US election, white evangelical Christians resoundingly voted for Donald Trump and were critical in his Presidential victory. Despite much of Trump's behaviour seen as an affront to "traditional values", 81% of evangelicals turned out to vote for him. Why?
Evangelicals do not support Donald Trump
Evangelical Christians are increasingly turning away from Donald Trump, and can no longer be relied upon for electoral support.
Polls indicate that evangelical Christians are losing their trust in Donald Trump
In 2016, Donald Trump received the lion's share of the evangelical Christian vote. However, recent data suggests that this trend is turning and will not be the case for the 2020 election.
White evangelicals back Trump because he privileges them in policy decisions
As Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United, notes: Trump "confers privilege in exchange for constant loyalty at the ballot box, no matter what he does.” His stance on many key policy areas now reflects that of the Evangelical Christian lobby.
Donald Trump supports the evangelical stance on reproductive rights
Donald Trump has called Roe v Wade into question in a show of support for the evangelical stance against abortion.
Donald Trump appeals to evangelical social insecurities
According to University of East Anglia Professor Emma Long, "Trump hears [evangelical] fears, takes them seriously, and responds."
Donald Trump exploits evangelical Christians' anxieties
American society has evolved to a point where Christian values are no longer at the heart of American identity, leading to anxiety amongst evangelical Christians. Donald Trump exploits this anxiety for personal gain.
