The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, has sparked a passionate discussion among Trump’s allies and supporters, many of whom see his survival as divine intervention.
This opens the door to a powerful and potentially polarizing narrative that intertwines faith and politics:
- How are these claims being leveraged?
- What’s their impact on our political discourse?
- Are there broader implications for the upcoming election?
- How might this event strengthen and expand Trump’s evangelical support?
The Divine Intervention Narrative
Soon after the assassination attempt, numerous prominent figures within Trump’s circle embraced the notion of divine intervention. Trump himself took to social media, declaring, "It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening." This sentiment was echoed by his daughter Ivanka Trump, who suggested that her late mother was watching over him during the attack.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated, "GOD protected President Trump yesterday," while Rep. Carlos Antonio Giménez (R-Fla.) told Fox News that Trump survived by "the grace of God." Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) also invoked "divine intervention" and the "protective hand" of God as the reasons behind Trump’s survival.
This isn’t an unusual reaction for anyone following a harrowing, near-death experience. And, as experiences go, few things unite people across varied political and cultural lines more than the idea that an omnipotent force saved a loved one, or even themselves, from death.
Faith and Politics: A Powerful Combination
The immediate embrace of a divine intervention narrative by Trump and his allies serves multiple purposes. It reinforces Trump’s image as a figure protected by a higher power and underscores a large portion of his base’s belief that he’s a leader with a divinely ordained mission.
It’s not merely the deeply religious who think this. American historians frequently state America has been blessed or received divine intervention at important times when “the right man emerges at the right time.” You don’t have to look far to find biographies or documentaries proclaiming George Washington was the perfect man to become the “father of our nation.” Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt – each is held in the same regard.
For Trump, this narrative taps into deeply held religious beliefs among many of his supporters, creating a potent mix of faith and politics.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who survived a shooting himself, related the assassination attempt to his personal experience, stating on Fox & Friends Weekend, "[Saturday] there were miracles, and I think the hand of God was there too." Such statements resonate with many in the Republican base, who see Trump’s survival as a sign of divine favor.
Evangelical Support: Strengthening and Expanding
Evangelicals, who represent a significant and influential voting bloc, have been among Trump’s most steadfast supporters. So much so, the evangelical community has become a cornerstone of Trump’s political strategy. The narrative of divine intervention following the assassination attempt will do more than further cement that relationship; it will confirm Evangelicals’ conviction that Trump’s the right man at the right time.
Mobilization and Messaging: Evangelical leaders and influencers will likely seize this opportunity and encourage their congregations to view Trump’s survival as a sign of divine favor and a call to action. This can translate into increased voter turnout, volunteerism, and financial support from this community.
Broader Appeal: While Trump’s core evangelical supporters are already deeply committed, this event provides an opportunity to reach other religious voters who may have been on the fence. Portraying Trump as a leader protected by God may appeal to a broader spectrum of religious conservatives, potentially expanding his support base within this key demographic.
The Impact on the Political Discourse
By framing the event in religious terms, Trump’s allies are not only bolstering his image but also shaping the narrative in a way that transcends mere political strategy. This approach can create a sense of unity and purpose among his supporters, and develop the idea that resilience and divine influence are personified in Trump.
But overplaying this message comes with risks. Foremost, Trump proclaiming some type of providence at play could deepen the already canyon-like divide between his supporters and his detractors. Critics may view invoking divine intervention as a cynical ploy to exploit religious sentiments for political gain. And, of course, 248 years ago, Americans cut themselves loose from the British crown in no small part because we didn’t want anyone claiming lineage from God governing our lives.
Religion and politics have always been a volatile mixture, and adding to the current political polarization is the last thing Trump’s campaign needs to do.
Historical Context and Religious Rhetoric
The use of religious rhetoric in politics is not new. Throughout American history, leaders have invoked divine guidance and protection in times of crisis. The survival of President Ronald Reagan after an assassination attempt in 1981 and the historical parallels drawn with George Washington’s narrow escape from an ambush in 1755 are examples of how faith has been intertwined with political narratives.
Former Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, a strong Trump supporter, pointed to the fateful position of the bullet, calling it "Divine Providence." Such statements draw on a long tradition of interpreting historical events through the lens of faith, reinforcing the idea that certain leaders are chosen and protected by a higher power, and, by extrapolation, our nation is the greater for it.
Broader Implications for the Election
As the Republican National Convention unwinds, the narrative of divine intervention is likely to play a significant role in shaping the proceedings. Trump’s near-miss has already been framed as a moment of divine protection, which can energize his base and create a sense of destiny around his candidacy.
However, this narrative also presents challenges. It risks alienating moderate voters who may be uncomfortable with the overt religious framing of a political event. Additionally, it could further polarize the electorate, making it harder to foster the unity and reconciliation that President Joe Biden has called for in the wake of the attack.
But it begs an even bigger question, one Evangelicals tend to deflect: Does God play favorites? There’s the rub, as Shakespeare would say.
That is, perhaps, the greatest danger in declaring Trump was saved by divine providence. Why would God save Trump but allow an innocent and, by every account, good Christian man to die?
It’s this question that gives pause to using divine intervention too much and too often. Mixing politics and religion is already a highwire act. Adding divine intervention into the mix is working without a net.
The assassination attempt on former President Trump has opened up a new chapter in the interplay between faith and politics. By embracing the narrative of divine intervention, Trump and his allies are leveraging religious sentiment to strengthen his position and galvanize his base. While this approach has historical precedents and can be a powerful tool, it also carries risks of deepening polarization and alienating moderate voters.
As the nation navigates the aftermath of this attack, the role of faith and narrative in politics will continue to be a focal point. Whether viewed as providence or politics, the invocation of divine intervention in this context underscores the complex and often contentious relationship between religion and political discourse in America. The strengthening and potential expansion of Trump’s evangelical support base in response to this event highlight the enduring power of faith in shaping political narratives and influencing electoral outcomes.
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