By Margaret Hodson ’16, Editor-in-Chief

Donald Trump’s remarks Monday at Liberty University further underscore his attempts to win over the religious right as part of his presidential campaign strategy. Evangelical Christians have traditionally made up a major part of the Republican voting bloc, especially in key early-voting states such as Iowa. According to a recent NBC poll. Trump has support of 33% of white evangelical voters. This is more than any other Republican candidates, including other presidential hopefuls who have spoken at Liberty such as Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, and Ben Carson. Despite Trump’s apparent success in the polls with evangelicals, the “values vote” still seems to be split. Many important religious figures, such a Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore, disapprove of Trump. With regards to Trump, Moore tweeted: “Trading in the gospel of Jesus Christ for political power is not liberty but slavery.”

Liberty University is a non-profit Christian University founded by the late Jerry Falwell in 1971. Jerry Falwell founded not only Liberty University but the political organization Moral Majority. Moral Majority is known for supporting conservative Republican candidates in the 1980s such as Ronald Reagan. Trump was introduced by Mr. Jerry Falwell Jr., President of Liberty University.

Falwell opened by saying, “Liberty University does not support or oppose candidates for public office and Mr. Trump’s appearance here should not be interpreted by any as an endorsement by Liberty.” He then however made many positive remarks about Trump, a personal friend. Speaking of Trump, Falwell said, “Matthew 7:16 tells us that by their fruits, ye shall know them. Donald Trump’s life has bourne fruit, fruit that has provided jobs to a multitude of people in addition to the many he has helped with his generosity.” Falwell compared Trump to his father, as both men eschewed political correctness and instead spoke their minds. Falwell then went as far as to compare Trump with MLK and even Jesus, a man who “made public statements that were so unpopular that the religious and political establishment of his day crucified him.” He praised Trump for his success in business and his ability to “[speak] the plain, common-sense truth that so many have been longing to hear.” Trump was heralded as a “breath of fresh air in a nation where the political establishment from both parties has betrayed their constituencies time and time again with broken promises and a continuation of the status quo.” Along with praising his business acumen and forthright nature, Falwell lauded the fact that Trump “cannot be bought.” He said while other candidates are like puppets to their donors, Trump is funding his own campaign. Furthermore, Falwell claimed is was beneficial that Trump isn’t a career politician. He is a man who has “succeeded in real life,” a true “citizen legislator.”

Falwell’s introduction for Trump gives much insight into Trump’s appeal for conservative voters. Falwell cited good character and business acumen. He appreciates Trump’s disregard for political correctness and sees his outsider status as an asset. Many in the religious community seem convinced of all those facts but Trump’s religiosity. When quoting a Bible passage, Trump mistakenly said “two Corinthians” instead of “second Corinthians.” This is a mistake that Cruz’s rapid-response director and Rubio’s faith outreach director were quick to jump on. For some evangelicals Trump may have credibility as a man of faith, but for others he may seem not as religious as he claims.

Trump himself was very pleased to have been compared with Jerry Falwell. He said he believes that is a nicer compliment that Jerry Falwell Jr. gave to any of the other candidates that came to Liberty. Trump spoke with happiness about the “record” crowd assembled. The crowd consisted of about 1,000 students. All students are required to attend the tri-weekly convocations, and it is at one of these convocations that Trump spoke. It is unclear whether Trump was aware of this fact. He said he was dedicating “the record” to Martin Luther King Jr., as Trump spoke on MLK day.

Throughout the speech, Trump made many references to Christianity in an attempt to play to the crowd. He said, “I think we can do really something special. And we’re going to protect Christianity. And I can say that, I don’t have to be politically correct.” He said that Christianity is under siege and Christians need to unify. Along with voicing support for Christianity, he discussed the usual topics for Republican presidential candidates. He denounced all the Democrats and their plans for high taxes and a weak military. He said the military needs to be strengthened, and claimed the real problem is that other nations do not respect the United States. With a stronger military, we would have less problems. He blasted the Iran deal, President’s Obama’s statement about sending 50 special ops advisors to Syria, and military generals that speak on TV.

According to the polls, Trump still seems to have won over the largest swathe of the religious right of any Republican candidate. Keeping this firm hold on the values vote will be important to the future health of this campaign. In order to retain these votes, Trump must successfully convince evangelicals that he is a “good Christian” man who supports their values. Evangelicals want more than a man that opposes abortion and gay rights. They want a candidate that shares not only their view, but their deep faith. Trump certainly has the views they desire, but for some he still needs to sell them on the strength of his character and his Christian faith.

Sources:

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/trump-liberty-university-bible-217938

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/can-donald-trump-live-up-to-jerry-falwell/424401/

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/18/politics/donald-trump-liberty-two-corinthians/

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/the-religious-rights-donald-trump-dilemma/424575/

http://www.c-span.org/video/?403331-1/donald-trump-remarks-liberty-university

Image Source:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2016/01/06/liberty-university-alum-disappointed-donald-trump-will-speak-at-school-trump-only-claims-to-be-a-christian/