Christian Nationalists made their presence known at Mar-a-Lago on Friday night, showcasing their close ties to the MAGA movement. Lance Wallnau, a prominent figure in the Christian right, live-streamed the black-tie event to his 1 million Facebook followers. Wallnau and his fellow evangelical pastor Jim Garlow, both associated with the New Apostolic Reformation movement, engaged in lighthearted banter during the stream. They discussed the media’s labeling of them as “Christian nationalists,” with Garlow claiming that the term is used to bully and silence Christians. The fact that they were attending the gala at Mar-a-Lago, where their movement’s influence on Republican politics was recently highlighted, further underscored their power. Garlow emphasized his belief in Christian dominion, stating that Christians are meant to be in control of government and politics. The gala, organized by the America First Policy Institute, was the culmination of a three-day conference aimed at shaping policy for a potential second Trump term. The event featured a strong Christianist undercurrent, with religious figures like Paula White Cain and Jentezen Franklin leading prayers and scripture readings. The group’s leadership includes former Trump administration officials and prominent Christian nationalists. As the MAGA movement seeks a return to power, religious extremism has become increasingly mainstream. The conference also featured appearances by Christian nationalist figures like Charlie Kirk and Marjorie Taylor Greene. Notable guests at the gala included Bobby Jindal, Lou Holtz, Kellyanne Conway, and Matt Whitaker. Wallnau, after meeting with Trump and hearing his speech, expressed optimism about the former president’s potential return to power in 2024. He also predicted a powerful move of God for America in the future.
Tux-Clad Christian Nationalists Revel in Their Influence, Broadcasting Live from Mar-a-Lago
