Below is a list of 95 reasons (iykyk) not to vote for Donald Trump for president, from a justice and peace-oriented Christian theological perspective. These reasons emphasize his moral failings, particularly around justice, peace, truth, and the ethical teachings of Jesus, the central figure in the Christian faith:
- Multiple sexual assault allegations – These accusations point to a fundamental disregard for human dignity and the respect Jesus taught us to show others (Matthew 7:12).
- Bragged about sexual assault – The Access Hollywood tape where Trump boasted of grabbing women without consent contradicts biblical values of honoring one another (Romans 12:10).
- Paid off adult film star Stormy Daniels – This reflects dishonesty and the attempt to conceal immoral behavior, violating integrity (Proverbs 10:9).
- Instigated insurrection on January 6th – His role in inciting violence undermines peace and reconciliation (Matthew 5:9).
- Constant lying and deceit – Trump’s over 30,000 false or misleading claims as president defy the commandment not to bear false witness (Exodus 20:16).
- Demonized immigrants and asylum seekers – His policies violate the biblical mandate to welcome the stranger (Leviticus 19:34).
- Separated families at the border – This cruel practice contradicts Jesus’ call to care for the vulnerable and marginalized (Matthew 25:40).
- Mocked disabled people – Disrespect for the differently abled goes against Jesus’ teaching to show compassion and kindness (Colossians 3:12).
- Encouraged violence at rallies – Trump’s calls for his supporters to physically assault protestors foster division, contrary to Jesus’ message of love and peace (Matthew 5:39).
- Racist rhetoric – His comments about Mexicans, African nations, and others perpetuate racism, which stands against the truth that all people are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).
- Called white supremacists ‘very fine people’ – This moral failure to unequivocally condemn hate groups emboldens forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12).
- Fired tear gas at peaceful protestors for a photo-op – His use of force against peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters in 2020 mocks the Beatitudes, particularly blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9).
- Misused the Bible as a political prop – Holding the Bible during the Lafayette Square incident, without reverence or respect for its teachings, reflects a profound misunderstanding of the faith.
- Refused to denounce QAnon conspiracy theories – This silence in the face of evil conspiracies promotes a culture of fear and lies (Ephesians 4:25).
- Disregarded COVID-19 safety protocols – His reckless handling of the pandemic disregarded the biblical command to love one’s neighbor (Mark 12:31).
- Downplayed the severity of COVID-19 while knowing its dangers – Trump’s failure to protect citizens’ lives is a betrayal of the stewardship we are called to have over one another’s well-being (Philippians 2:4).
- Neglected environmental stewardship – His rollbacks of environmental protections defy our responsibility to care for creation (Genesis 2:15).
- Weakened protections for endangered species – This undermines our duty to protect the earth and its creatures (Psalm 104:24-25).
- Exploited racial divisions for political gain – Trump used racial grievances to stoke division, contrary to the message of unity in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
- Disparaged African nations as “sh*thole countries” – His racist statements against entire nations dishonor the inherent dignity of people.
- Supported stop-and-frisk policies – This unconstitutional targeting of minorities contradicts the call for justice and equality (Amos 5:24).
- Profited from Christian nationalism – Trump exploited Christian nationalism, which is antithetical to the message of Jesus as the Prince of Peace.
- Opposed peaceful protests for racial justice – His opposition to movements like Black Lives Matter reflects a rejection of the fight for justice (Isaiah 1:17).
- Promoted an agenda of fear – Trump consistently used fear to manipulate and divide people, which runs counter to the message of love casting out fear (1 John 4:18).
- Failed to address police brutality – His refusal to tackle systemic injustice in law enforcement disregards biblical justice (Proverbs 31:8-9).
- Politicized the Supreme Court – Appointing judges to further his agenda instead of upholding justice undermines the fair application of the law (Isaiah 1:23).
- Praised authoritarian dictators – Trump’s admiration for autocrats like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un goes against the principles of justice, liberty, and human rights (Isaiah 61:1).
- Promoted violence and hate through social media – His inflammatory tweets and divisive rhetoric contradict the call to build each other up (Ephesians 4:29).
- Rejected climate science – Ignoring the warnings about climate change is a betrayal of our calling to protect the earth.
- Undermined free press – His attacks on journalists and the media erode truth-telling and accountability (John 8:32).
- Obstructed justice – Multiple reports, including the Mueller investigation, document his attempts to obstruct justice.
- Endorsed anti-LGBTQ+ policies – His administration’s policies against LGBTQ+ people contradict the biblical call to love and affirm all people.
- Banned transgender individuals from the military – This discriminatory policy harms people made in God’s image (Galatians 3:28).
- Refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power – His undermining of democratic norms conflicts with the principle of truth and justice (Proverbs 29:2).
- Disparaged John McCain for being a POW – Mocking someone for their sacrifice runs contrary to Jesus’ teaching to honor those who serve others.
- Supported the death penalty – His endorsement of capital punishment is in tension with the Christian call for mercy and forgiveness.
- Endorsed torture – Trump’s support for enhanced interrogation techniques, including waterboarding, contradicts the biblical ethic of human dignity.
- Opposed healthcare for the vulnerable – His attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act hurt the sick and poor, defying Jesus’ call to care for the least of these (Matthew 25:40).
- Alienated allies – Trump’s treatment of international allies undermined cooperation and global peace (Romans 12:18).
- Encouraged political violence – His rhetoric leading to events like the plot to kidnap Governor Whitmer fosters hatred and lawlessness (Proverbs 6:16-19).
- Supported separating LGBTQ+ individuals from their families – Policies that harm families contradict the biblical call for family unity.
- Promoted tax cuts favoring the wealthy – His economic policies exacerbated inequality, contradicting the biblical call to care for the poor.
- Defunded SNAP and food aid programs – Denying food to the hungry is a moral failure (Isaiah 58:7).
- Cut funding for education – Reducing educational opportunities especially for underserved communities undermines justice.
- Appointed Betsy DeVos to undermine public education – DeVos’s policies particularly harmed poor and minority students.
- Supported voter suppression laws – His encouragement of laws that disenfranchise voters, especially minorities, is an affront to justice (Proverbs 31:8-9).
- Tried to overturn the 2020 election results – His attempts to subvert democracy through baseless fraud claims foster division and distrust.
- Refused to accept responsibility – Trump’s refusal to take accountability for mistakes or failures defies the Christian call for humility and repentance.
- Undermined faith in public institutions – His attacks on institutions like the FBI and DOJ erode trust and respect for justice.
- Promoted personal vendettas – His governance often revolved around settling personal scores, which is contrary to the biblical mandate to love your enemies (Matthew 5:44).
- Pushed xenophobic travel bans – Banning people from Muslim-majority countries reinforces prejudice and discrimination.
- Treated women disrespectfully – His derogatory comments about women and behavior reflect a lack of respect for the equal dignity of all (Genesis 1:27).
- Lied about election fraud – Perpetuating baseless lies about the 2020 election is contrary to the pursuit of truth (John 14:6).
- Fostered a culture of cruelty – Trump’s language and policies emboldened cruelty in political discourse, contrary to the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Dismissed the severity of systemic racism – His disregard for racial justice defies the biblical call to fight oppression (Isaiah 1:17).
- Rejected accountability for actions – Trump’s refusal to admit wrongdoing promotes a culture of unrepentant leadership.
- Weaponized religion for political gain – His misuse of religious rhetoric and symbolism for political advantage is a violation of sincere faith.
- Divided the nation – Trump’s divisive leadership sowed hatred and division instead of reconciliation.
- Encouraged authoritarianism – Trump’s praise for autocratic leaders threatens democratic norms and freedoms (Isaiah 61:1).
- Perpetuated false narratives about Christians being persecuted in the U.S. – Stoking fear and division among Christians contradicts the truth.
- Attacked the integrity of the judiciary – His attacks on judges and the legal system undermine the pursuit of justice.
- Encouraged violence against journalists – His rhetoric against the press incites threats and violence, contrary to free speech and truth (Proverbs 12:19).
- Mismanaged disaster relief efforts – The inadequate response to crises like Puerto Rico’s hurricane recovery shows a lack of care for those in need.
- Failed to support mental health care – His policies neglected the importance of mental health services, crucial for human well-being.
- Dismantled affordable housing programs – His administration’s policies led to greater homelessness and housing instability.
- Opposed wage increases for the poor – Refusing to support a higher minimum wage exacerbates poverty, counter to the call for economic justice.
- Weakened workplace protections – His rollbacks of labor protections harmed workers, especially the most vulnerable.
- Promoted the fossil fuel industry at the expense of clean energy – Trump’s environmental policies prioritized profit over God’s creation.
- Rejected refugees fleeing violence – His administration’s rejection of refugees seeking asylum is a rejection of the biblical mandate to care for the oppressed.
- Encouraged nationalism over global cooperation – Trump’s isolationist policies harmed global unity and cooperation for peace.
- Fostered political tribalism – His rhetoric deepened partisan divides rather than promoting the common good.
- Eroded civil discourse – Trump’s constant personal attacks and insults degraded the quality of public discourse.
- Failed to protect religious freedom for all faiths – His narrow view of religious freedom often excluded non-Christian groups, undermining true religious liberty.
- Appointed unqualified individuals to key positions – His appointments often lacked the experience and expertise necessary to lead.
- Encouraged anti-intellectualism – Trump’s dismissal of experts and scientists fosters ignorance and undermines the pursuit of truth.
- Promoted conspiracy theories – His amplification of baseless conspiracy theories contributes to a culture of paranoia.
- Used power for personal enrichment – Trump profited from his presidency, violating ethical standards of leadership.
- Threatened to jail political opponents – His calls to “lock up” Hillary Clinton and others reflect a disregard for the rule of law.
- Endangered lives through negligent COVID policies – His downplaying of the pandemic and reckless behavior contributed to needless deaths.
- Promoted hostility toward allies and international organizations – His withdrawal from global agreements undermines international peace efforts.
- Encouraged distrust of elections – Trump’s baseless attacks on the electoral process harm democracy.
- Failed to denounce domestic terrorism – His reluctance to address the threat of domestic terrorism emboldens extremism.
- Used the presidency to seek revenge – Trump’s use of power to punish perceived enemies reflects a spirit of vengeance, contrary to the teaching of forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15).
- Dismantled public health initiatives – His weakening of the CDC and other health institutions harms public well-being.
- Escalated arms sales to authoritarian regimes – Trump’s arms deals with countries that abuse human rights undermine global peace and justice.
- Denied access to affordable healthcare – His policies that limited healthcare access hurt the most vulnerable.
- Undermined trust in scientists – Trump’s skepticism of scientific expertise contributed to misinformation and distrust in facts.
- Eroded protections for marginalized communities – His policies harmed women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ people, violating their human rights.
- Fomented division within the church – Trump’s alignment with certain evangelical leaders sowed division among Christians. 90. Threatened the autonomy of democratic institutions – His attempts to undermine the independence of the judiciary and other institutions harm checks and balances.
- Embraced cronyism and nepotism – Appointing family members and loyalists to key positions undermines meritocracy and justice.
- Weaponized the Justice Department – His use of the DOJ to target political enemies betrays the principle of impartial justice.
- Undermined public trust in elections – His false claims about voter fraud weakened confidence in democracy.
- Failed to address gun violence – His inaction on gun control reflects indifference to the loss of life.
- Embraced a culture of impunity – Trump’s disregard for accountability and the law promotes a culture where the powerful evade justice.
- Made unfathomable comments about Ivanka – Trump has made inappropriate sexual comments about his own daughter Ivanka, including that if she weren’t his daughter, he would be dating her.
This list reflects how Donald Trump’s actions and policies contradict the principles of justice, peace, and truth central to Christian theology.
Also, if you’ve been digging my work on here, and want to see me be able to continue writing as close to full-time as humanly possible, please take a look at my Patreon page at www.patreon.com/mjdistefano. Even $1 a month helps bigly!
Also, also, check out my latest book, “Heretic, Too!” available now!