Donald Trump’s recent comments are stirring controversy among religious voters, and in a state like Georgia, where religion plays a pivotal role in politics, these remarks could have real consequences.
First, at the Believers Summit in West Palm Beach, Trump told a Christian audience, “Christians, get out and vote, just this time. You won’t have to do it anymore… We’ll have it fixed so good you’re not going to have to vote” While some interpreted this as a lighthearted comment, others viewed it as a serious signal of his intent to undermine democratic processes, particularly as Trump has made repeated claims about rigged elections since 2020.
But while many pundits and critics gravitated toward Trump’s sentiments about voting, it is his comments that Christians don’t vote that are belittling to religious voters, and somewhat of a slap in the face to Trump’s evangelical supporters who have shelved many of their long-held beliefs about faith and political candidates in order to vote for Trump. White evangelicals are a significant part of Trump’s base and are often credited with his success in 2016. Yet, Trump claims Christians don’t get out and vote.
But Trump’s problems with religious voters don’t stop with Christians. At a recent gathering, Trump addressed the Jewish vote, claiming that Jewish voters would bear some of the blame if he loses the 2024 election. He also claimed that any Jewish person who voted for the democrats should have their head examined. This sparked outrage from Jewish groups, including the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee, which condemned his remarks as scapegoating. The organization reminded voters that blaming Jews for political outcomes is both dangerous and historically rooted in antisemitic violence.
Trump’s statements could have an impact on his support in Georgia, where religious voters—both Christian and Jewish—make up a significant portion of the electorate.
Evangelical Christians have been one of Trump’s strongest support bases, but comments implying that future elections could be unnecessary or that they don’t normally vote may alarm or insult even his most loyal followers. Georgia, with its high concentration of evangelical voters, could be a key battleground where these comments make a difference. Moreover, Georgia’s Jewish population, while smaller, is politically active, and Trump’s remarks may alienate this group further as antisemitism has become an increasingly urgent issue in recent years.
Also at the believer’s summit, Trump said what many of his critics had long suspected, admitting that he wasn’t really a Christian even though he has claimed Christianity since 2016. While claiming Christians don’t vote and urging them to do so, Trump said, “I’m not a Christian, but I love you Christians,” which conflicts with the persona he has tried to maintain with Christian voters.
For many voters in Georgia and throughout the South, a candidate’s faith—or at least respect for their faith—matters deeply.
In a state where religious values often guide political decisions, these comments risk alienating voters in a way that could be consequential for Trump’s chances in 2024. Whether his supporters in Georgia, particularly evangelical Christians, will overlook these comments remains to be seen. But if they don’t, Trump could be facing a serious electoral problem in a state that’s already proven pivotal in recent elections.
Georgia’s religious voters have the potential to swing the outcome in tight races. If Trump’s comments erode his standing with these groups, he may find that alienating even a small portion of this bloc could be enough to tip the scales in a state as closely contested as Georgia.
