Most evangelists and other religious organizations believe Trump is their religion’s champion as he praises their religious organizations during speeches. However, according to some people,who have worked closely with Trump, most of the outgoing president’s comments about religious beliefs and practices are full of skepticism and disdain.
Even his former White House aides are now saying that they have heard this president ridicule sacred rites and doctrines, mock conservative religious leaders, and often into stereotyping faith groups. Yet when addressing evangelical groups during rallies, he gives a promise that his administration will continue to serve and fight for religious American citizens.
Surprisingly, many high-profile Christians are aware that Trump is not truly religious, as he has been brazen enough to constantly admit his lack of knowledge about the Holy Scriptures and inexperience in praying the way most Christians do. He was even observed to have interrupted a discussion about religious freedom, only to complain and brag about the nickname he made for Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska.
Why the Duplicity? What’s In It For Trump?
Most of the revelations come from Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime confidant and personal attorney but turned witness against Trump by cooperating with Special Prosecutor Mueller in the investigations related to the case of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Cohen’s disclosures are detailed in his recently published memoirs entitled “Disloyal.” Backed by statements coming from former aides, Trump believes that by smooching up to evangelical leaders and letting them stay at his hotels, the leaders would endorse him. He was proven right when he won the 2016 Republican presidential nomination over contenders Ted Cruz and Mike Huckabee despite their deep religious background.
On one occasion, a former aide narrated how Trump laughed when his adviser showed a Youtube video of Israeli televangelist Benny Hinn conducting “faith healings,” calling Hinn’s religious ministry as some sort of racket.
According to Cohen, Trump focuses more on how these Christian evangelist leaders make their profits. Even if he perceives their beliefs and rituals as absurd, he is very familiar with how numerous prosperity-gospel churches’ conduct business dealings, and therefore useful as potential sources of campaign donations.