Like many Republican presidential candidates before him, President Donald Trump has frequently made appeals to American Christian voters—particularly white evangelicals—on the campaign trail.
Trump has falsely warned that a win from Democratic nominee Joe Biden would "hurt God" and claimed that Democrats are eager to legalize killing babies after they're born.
Earlier this summer, the Trump administration gassed peaceful protesters outside of the White House so Trump could pose for photos with a Bible outside of a church.
While many white evangelicals still enthusiastically support Trump, another Christian group is attacking him for using their faith to fit an insidious agenda.
The bipartisan Christian super PAC, Not Our Faith, released an ad decrying Trump's cloak of Christianity.
"Not Our Vote, Not Our Faith"www.youtube.com
Over clips of Trump-supporting faith leaders like his faith advisor Paula White and the disgraced Jerry Falwell Jr., the ad says:
"Donald Trump could have upheld faith in America. He could have lifted up what's good and true about our faith. Instead, he has used Christianity for his own purposes. He has not valued faith. Not really. Look who he's surrounded himself with ... Christians don't need Trump to save them. The truth is that Trump needs Christians to save his flailing campaign."
The ad concludes with a message to Trump himself:
"Mr. President, the days of using our faith for your benefit are over. We know you need the support of Christians like us to win this election, but you can't have it. Not our vote. Not our faith."
The video spot generated a number of reactions on Twitter.
Very strong first ad by a group attacking Trump for his cynical reliance on gullible Christians. https://t.co/CK9yF6CGEu
— Neil King (@NKingofDC) October 13, 2020
No one has messaging like this right now. Very edgy approach to reaching out to Christian voters. https://t.co/14sJaG7vet
— Bill Burton (@billburton) October 13, 2020
This hits hard. https://t.co/i7cDeKi6gg
— Phil Indablank (@phil_indablank) October 13, 2020
First political ad from new anti-Trump group - but this will connect in a totally different way than ads from say, The Lincoln Project, because this hits a part of Trump's base in a deeply personal way. https://t.co/6WUXClgdzr
— Rachel Martin (@rachelnpr) October 13, 2020
Wow!!! This is fantastic. Play it everywhere. https://t.co/oMJy7IEsxi
— Rebecca F. Miller (@FlatheadMama) October 13, 2020
All of this. https://t.co/f03Yl5ErRm
— Bill Roberts (@thinklingbill) October 13, 2020
Many Christians were excited by the effort.
As a devout Christian, I am appalled by the so-called Christians who claim Trump is chosen by God. That's just blasphemy. We need to reclaim our faith and reject the false prophets. #VoteHimOut #OurFaithOurVote #ChristiansAgainstTrump #ChristiansforBiden https://t.co/D7brqXmM7P
— Vicki Werneke (@VickiWerneke) October 13, 2020
Thank you. This is what Jesus would do. #WWJDDUMPTRUMP https://t.co/Mv1s5paqSU
— Jilliana (@Jillian13749870) October 13, 2020
Thank you! I have been in despair about how Trumpism has been integrated into some Christian churches. Pulling away from my long-time non-evangelical church. The senior pastor inserts FOX-type "concerns" & ideas in his prayers & sermons. At least he hasn't mentioned candidates...
— 🇺🇸💙RESIST!💙🇺🇸 (@TrishQuintenz) October 13, 2020
Thank you for doing this. Of all the damage that is being done by Trump, I grieve about the loss of faith & Christian values the most. Many televangelists have shown us that they're about greed, not about loving & caring for others.
— @KHShan (@KHShan) October 13, 2020
While white Christians still support Trump over Biden, this support has noticeably wavered since August.
