Donald Trump: US presidential election: Trump urges Christians to vote, claims Harris will restrict religious freedoms

File photo: Former US President Donald Trump (Image credit: AP)

Donald Trump has called Christian voters to participate in the 2024 elections on Monday he positioned himself as a defender of religious freedomssaid the Guardian.
Speaking at an 11th-Hour Faith Leaders Meeting in North Carolina, Trump warned that an administration led by Kamala Harris would restrict the rights of Christians and treat the election as a spiritual issue.
Several conservative pastors addressed the crowd before Trump took the stage. Guillermo Maldonado, a longtime ally and self-proclaimed “apostle,” described the election as a spiritual battle, saying, “We are now in a spiritual battle. It goes beyond left and right; it is between good and evil. There is a big fight going on right now and we need to take back our country.”
Ben Carsonthe National Faith chair of the 2024 campaign, echoed this sentiment and rejected the idea of ​​a secular society. “This election is about whether we remain one nation under God or become a secular nation,” said Carson, who joined Christian nationalists who believe that America must return to its religious roots.
Carson was picked by Trump, who recalled how Carson told him in 2016 that God had chosen him to be the next U.S. president. Trump also accused the FBI of sending “spies” into Catholic churches, claiming that Democrats view Catholics as potential domestic terrorists, although he has provided no evidence to support this.
Trump spoke about the assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which he claimed strengthened his faith. “My faith took on new meaning on July 13, when I was knocked to the ground, apparently by a supernatural hand,” Trump said. He suggested that God had saved him for a greater purpose, which was to lead America to greatness.

He also urged Christians to vote, lamenting that historically they do not vote in proportion to their numbers. “Christians, evangelicals… gun owners – they don’t vote,” Trump said, pledging to repeal the Johnson Amendment, which prevents churches from endorsing political candidates.
Support for Israel and gender issues
Trump highlighted his earlier decision to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a move condemned by world leaders but celebrated by many evangelicals who view Israel as central to Biblical prophecy. “We did what many didn’t want me to do,” Trump said, portraying his decision as a stand against global opposition.
He also discussed cultural and gender issues and vowed to take action against what he described as the “toxic poison” of gender ideology. “We will reaffirm that God created two genders: male and female,” Trump said, appealing to his conservative base.

Earlier, event co-organizer Eric Trump highlighted his father’s role as a protector of religious freedom, claiming there has been a “war against God” under current and previous administrations. He assured listeners that “the hand of God” guided his father’s actions, and even talked about how an angel allegedly saved Trump from the Butler assassination attempt.
Christian nationalists and the ReAwaken America movement
Eric Trump also revealed that the North Carolina meeting of faith leaders was inspired by Clay Clark, co-founder of the ReAwaken America tour. This tour, featuring a mix of pro-Trump conspiracy theorists and charismatic Christian preachers, has gained a following among those who believe in modern prophets and see Trump as a God-appointed leader.
The event further showcased Trump’s close ties to figures from the New Apostolic Reformation, a Christian movement that aims to exercise dominion over society and government.
The presence of these leaders, some of whom openly predict civil unrest and condemn Harris as a practitioner of “witchcraft,” has raised concerns about the influence of extreme religious views on Trump’s campaign.