Former President Donald Trump spoke at the National Religious Broadcasters International Christian Media Convention in Nashville, promising to defend Christian values if elected to a second term.
He warned that the left wants to “tear down crosses” and cover them with social justice flags.
“Remember, every communist regime throughout history has tried to stamp out the churches, just like every fascist regime has tried to co-opt them and control them. And, in America, the radical left is trying to do both,” Trump said.
Trump pledged that no one would touch Christian symbols under his administration.
He also portrayed himself as a champion of religious freedom who had done more for it than any other president.
“They want to tear down crosses where they can, and cover them up with social justice flags,” he said. “But no one will be touching the cross of Christ under the Trump administration, I swear to you.”
While some religious leaders were initially hesitant about Trump in 2016 due to his personal history, he now has loyal support from his evangelical base.
“No one will lay a finger on your firearms,” he added.
“The left is trying to shame Christians,” Trump said. “They’re trying to shame us. I’m a very proud Christian.”
“The enthusiasm for this election coming up in November is far greater than it was in 2016 or 2020,” he said. “Far greater, it’s not even a contest.”
Trump focused on opposing abortion and appointing conservative Supreme Court justices, but did not mention a new Alabama ruling affecting IVF.
He predicted greater enthusiasm for the 2022 election than prior races and portrayed the left as trying to shame Christians.
“When he came onto the scene, people were skeptical,” National Religious Broadcasters president and CEO Troy Miller said. “But I think, as they’ve learned more and listened to Donald Trump speak, the one thing I hear all the time from people … is that they really feel like Donald Trump understands them and that’s the biggest connection that people make is, ‘This is a guy in politics who gets us, who understands us, who doesn’t talk like he’s an elitist and talk down to us.’”
