It’s amazing how similar the manipulation tactics, con game, and grift schemes are with Trump and extreme evangelicals.
I was channel surfing when I ran across a Trump praise “rally” on the far-right MAGA channel Real America’s Voice. This is where Steve Bannon pushes his hateful, crazy conspiracy theories. Normally I’d instantly surf right past.
This time I paused and decided to listen to Trump’s speech for a few minutes. I knew what to expect, but with all his legal cases heating up I wanted to see what lies and nonsense he would put forth. I noticed two major differences in his speeches compared to what I’ve seen in the distant past.
His typical lies, blaming, and narcissism have intensified. I also noticed that his energy and mood were greatly subdued. He had no conviction or enthusiasm. He was just reading a list of false grievances, condemnations, and conspiracies. Trump looked like a worn-out, badly beaten, has-been boxer trying pitifully to score a knockout. He was the picture of a sorry, sore, and scared loser. Given all the damage he has done to the U.S., I had zero compassion.
As I studied the crowd I thought, “Why can’t these people see that this man lying?” I thought the same thing when I ran across a preacher on television the next morning. The audience and call center staff were all buying into his nonsense, which was an obvious con to me.
This preacher and Trump-like grifter was talking about donating a $1,000 seed to his “church” to gain “favor” and financial rewards from God. His name is Mike Murdock. He was telling viewers how important it was to donate the $1,000 “seed” even if the money came from their retirement savings, vacation fund, or last $1,000. Nearly as disturbing is the fact that these Murdock “infomercials” were created years ago. He just keeps running the same set of shows. His style reminds me of Mike Lindell’s pillow commercials. (Murdock endorsed Trump in 2016 and 2020 but has since soured on him. He is still using Trump’s playbook though. Birds of a feather…)
It is amazing how Trump and Murdock’s nonsense was identical. I thought, “No wonder evangelicals love Trump. They are playing the same con game for their own “personal” benefit. Trump also gives them what they want although via unethical means, but they ignore that. They do this even though it is in direct conflict with their so-called “Christian” principles. Extreme evangelicals believe everyone should follow their rules regardless of a person’s values, ethnicity, or religion. The perfect example is the end of Roe v. Wade.
Trump plays them and does their dirty work for their vote, support, and especially their money. He does not believe in any of their principles, because he doesn’t have any of his own. Trump is only using them just like he does with all of his supporters.
To buy into a lying, narcissistic, con man like Trump is to be a naive fool. He is using his supporters for his own personal objectives. The same goes for far-right religious leaders. They are using their supporters to advance their own agenda too. There are no excuses or defenses for these supporters. Each made a decision. And they cannot use the same tactics as their cult leaders and blame others for their ignorance and poor choices.