Evangelicals Double Down on Trump: Unveiling the Reasons Behind Their Unwavering Support

Ron DeSantis’s bid for the presidency has come to an end, but his competition with Donald Trump for the support of white evangelical voters was virtually non-existent. Numerous polls consistently showed that Trump held a significant lead over his rivals among white evangelicals. However, there were some signs that Trump’s support among the most devout evangelical voters was wavering.

In a survey conducted in March 2023 by psychologist Joshua Grubbs and another researcher, it was found that among white evangelical Republican voters, 53% planned to vote for Trump, while only 31% favored DeSantis. The support for Joe Biden was negligible, with less than 1% of respondents stating they would vote for him. This indicated that Trump already had majority support among white evangelicals over a year before the Republican primary.

However, when the sample was divided based on church attendance, it was discovered that only 48% of white evangelical Republicans who attended church at least once a month planned to vote for Trump, compared to 61% of those who attended less frequently. DeSantis’s support remained at around 31% regardless of church attendance. This suggested that Trump’s dominance among the most devout evangelical voters was not as strong. Other polls around the same time also indicated that evangelical support for Trump might be wavering.

By late Fall of 2023, however, white evangelicals were once again rallying behind Trump. A survey by Pew Research Center revealed that 55% of white evangelical Republican voters planned to vote for Trump in the primary. Importantly, this percentage was consistent among both frequent churchgoers and those who attended less frequently. While DeSantis enjoyed more support among monthly church attendees, Trump’s lead among the most devout had doubled to 34% compared to the Spring of 2023.

The reasons behind this shift in support are not attributed to any specific actions taken by Trump or evangelical leaders. Instead, two more likely explanations are proposed. Firstly, white evangelicals, especially the most devout, are staunch partisans. The more frequently they attend church, the more likely they are to identify as Republicans. Trump has become synonymous with the Republican party, and as his victory became more certain, even reluctant supporters among the most committed fell in line. It was not a matter of principle but a desire for party victory.

Secondly, evangelicals are not only partisan but also culture warriors who feel under attack. Despite DeSantis’s attempts to position himself as an anti-woke champion for religious conservatives, most evangelicals either did not buy into it or simply had more confidence in Trump as their warrior king. Trump’s ability to project strength and protect their interests resonated with white evangelicals who believed they were facing external threats.

It is important to note that Trump has always been the favorite among white evangelicals, even among the most devout. Polling data from Pew Research Center has consistently shown that white evangelicals have been more enthusiastic about Trump as a potential president compared to other candidates. Despite the controversies surrounding Trump’s character and actions, his support among white evangelicals remains unwavering. The conviction that no Republican nominee could be worse than a Democrat outweighs any cognitive dissonance felt by devout Christians.

Understanding the deep-rooted partisanship and culture-warring mentality prevalent among white evangelicals is crucial in comprehending their unwavering support for Trump. This is a lesson that Nikki Haley, a potential Republican candidate, is learning once again.