The Donald Trump Dilemma – how does a Christian live with the contradictions?

Christianity Today recently published an article making a case for Donald Trump's removal from office, suggesting it unthinkable for a Christian to support him. The mainstream media in the States otherwise keen to ignore Christian opinion, promptly gave it traction, like a disapproving landlord finally hearing a pesky tenant out. In a conversation with an acquaintance, she was quick to assert that Christians are hypocritical in applying their moral standards, by giving Trump a broad pass, just because he appeared to be on their side. She was convinced Christians were being conned. 

We’ve heard some version of this over and over again – Christians have abandoned all principle in favor of political expedience. Not only are they turning a blind eye to Trump’s serious flaws, but they’ve gone so far as to congratulate and uphold him as a role model.

So, what is the truth? Is it as black and white as critics claim? And what if two things were true at the same time?

I enjoy discussing politics and world affairs, and am a minor history buff (although my enthusiasm far outweighs my knowledge), but I’m growing very selective about whom I have these conversations with. Politics has become so extraordinarily tribal, that no longer is it about debating policy or the merits of an issue. It’s now all about picking a side, and sticking with it, no matter the intellectual cost. If your side goes sliding down, you sink with it, or even pretend that all is swell.

In November 2016, I was in India, and convinced that Americans weren’t so ignorant as to elect Donald Trump, reducing the US to a laughing stock in the eyes of the world. There was no question, in my mind, that Hillary Clinton was by far, highly electable, and must win, if the US were to remain a dominant player at the world table. A strong US that speaks for free speech, free markets, religious freedom, and remains, in many cases, a last bastion for human rights across the world, is in the best interest of all countries, including India. I was nearly in tears, as the results from the electoral college started coming in, and it looked certain that Donald Trump was going to be the President of the US of A. His losing resoundingly, seemed inevitable just that morning.

It took a call with my mum, to begin my journey of looking beyond the clamor of one-sided, elitist, and contemptuous coverage of Trump and his voters. My education started with listening to conservative commentators like Ben Shapiro, exposing myself to news from the right-of-centre spectrum, and an insightful book by J.D. Vance, ‘Hillbilly Elegy’.

It helped me appreciate that the US is not homogeneous, and that it’s more than the East and West Coasts. The ravages of decades of leftist welfare policies, and governmental overreach, combined with the opioid crisis, had left deep scars in swathes of middle America, who felt forgotten by politicians and snubbed by coastal elites.

I moved from an antagonist to a sympathizer. Stephen Harper’s (former Canadian Prime Minister) “Right Here, Right Now” added nuance to my broad education, on the rise of populist, right-wing movements in many parts of the West.

So, yes, it’s compatible to be a Christian and vote for Donald Trump. In a landscape of worsening choices, going with a party/politician that will least hasten cultural decline, is a legitimate option. Christians should not judge each other for making a political choice they wouldn’t have made themselves. Ultimately, the office merits respect, and to the extent that one’s conscience is not violated, obedience to the government, and being a good citizen is obligatory for a Christian, irrespective of which political party is in power. 

Another complicating wrench is the plain truth that the President of the United States may not be a stalwart Christian or an exemplary human being. That would be ideal, and when someone comes close, absolutely worthy of celebration. Regardless, a Christian’s duty is prayer for those in positions of power, making well-considered choices based on who aligns most closely with godly values in a rapidly decaying society, and ultimately acknowledging that God is sovereign, over who is elected. 

Sometimes, a ruler is put in charge, for mercy and respite, sometimes for judgement and indictment.

So, one can find a politician’s personal behavior morally problematic, while extending support on a policy-by-policy basis. There's also no question unfortunately, that association with Trump has damaged the evangelical witness, especially when they have remained silent in the face of Trump's excesses and mean-spiritedness. This must be part of a larger critique of the church relinquishing its responsibility and moral high ground in being a convicting voice against cultural decay. 

As loathsome as a Christian may find Trump’s lifestyle and character, fact is, he has surrounded himself by conservative appointees and advisors who support the traditional causes that Christians understand to reflect God's bestowal of common grace to human society. “The least of evils” is not a great argument, but in an era where post-birth abortion is not just accepted, but shouted from the rooftops, and infanticide softened by the deceptive use of words like a “fetus born alive”, voting for a President who intends to curb such an evil practice, is not only wise, but I’d go so far as to call it imperative.

Let’s live with these contradictions; always in tension, never fully reconciled – support the President when he takes a righteous stand, call him out when he is petty and vindictive. Pray for him, without tripping over his supporters to praise him. In a world gone awry, it’s possible to be uncompromising, while being shrewd as a serpent. Most of all, let’s not stoop to what is happening all too often; contempt for a fellow human being who made an unexpected voting choice, instead of empathy for why.

***Update, 2022***

As of this writing, Trump has not announced that he will run in 2024. He should not. Circumstances have changed; our response should wisely modulate. 

He should step aside for someone who has the competence, character, and message discipline to build on and carry forward his policy wins. His party has a deeper bench; there are legitimately good candidates for the presidency. 

To channel Elon Musk, Trump is drama. He cannot stop airing his grievances over the flaws of the last election. He had his day in court to prove his claims of ballot fraud, but was unable to. He could have done much to protect the integrity of the election process, while still in power, to limit the weaknesses engendered by mail-in votes. 

The January 6th 2021 debacle can be pinned on several guilty parties, however, there is no contesting that Trump handled himself poorly and that his heart was not truly into being a peacemaker that day. 

He has served his purpose - the flamethrower who voiced the aggravation of his countrymen, frustrated that their elected leaders and the permanent underclass, were thwarting their voices. 

It would now be better for him and his country, if he could muster grace, play kingmaker, and prompt history to exonerate his administration in the aftermath of the American quest for self-sabotage. Any stable genius would.