Thread by @jackmjenkins

Just in case you thought Trump was trending away from Christian nationalism, he just told this to a bunch of evangelicals: “We’re going to win another monumental victory for faith and family, God and country, flag and freedom.”

Trump: "Before my election, religious believers were under assault like never before.”

Later adds that when he became president, "the federal government's war on religion came to an abrupt end."

Does not mention his proposed Muslim ban, or attacks against Muslims.

Trump just slighted Sanctuary Cities in his speech to evangelicals.

Note: Sanctuary Cities emerged out of the faith-based Sanctuary movement, led by churches and synagogues.

Trump: "I really do believe we have God on our side. Otherwise (how could) we have won?"

Trump accuses liberals of "making socialism their religion."

Historical side note: The socialist movement in the United States emerged in many ways *out of* Christian movements.

Trump spends roughly a minute mocking Buttigieg's name, then says, “all of a sudden he’s become very religious. It happened about two weeks ago.”

Really interesting that he's singling Buttigieg out there.

Trump: “Above all else in America we don’t worship government, we worship God.”

This is a standard line Trump has used throughout his presidency, and it has always garnered applause.

“We’re not going to allow (faithful?) Americans to be bullied by the hard left.”

Side note: It would depend on how Trump defines the "hard left," be some of the most stalwart progressive activists during the Trump era have been religious leaders such as Rev. William Barber, etc.

Trump talking a lot about abortion now, receiving raucous applause from the crowd as he condemns it and outlines steps his administration has taken to limit it.

Trump says he is working to defend the "free speech rights of Christians on college campuses."

A student from Fresno State University is now speaking, talking about her anti-abortion group.

(While this is happening I'll just take a moment to note that Pete Buttigieg did not, in fact, become religious two weeks ago, but I expect y'all knew that.)

Trump name-checks Charlie Kirk well talking about free speech on college campuses.

Side note: Kirk co-runs a think tank at Liberty University, which has come under fire for censoring student journalists. religionnews.com/2018/04/07/lib…

Trump is now talking about the criminal justice reform legislation he passed, noting that there was broad-based support for that initiative.

That was, in fact, a rare moment of bipartisan (and multi-faith) agreement during his presidency.

Trump notes the plight of persecuted Christians abroad, says it's "unbelievable" and “we’re not putting up with it.”

Fact check: the plight of persecuted Christians abroad has arguably only worsened under Trump. Their refugee numbers have only decreased. religionnews.com/2019/07/25/tru…

Trump notes the recent church shooting and the stabbing of Jews during worship. Says he and everyone there stands "with unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers in sisters," says he's going to "eradicate the scourge" of anti-Semitism.

Trump says "the Christian community was probably equally thrilled" with his admin's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Note: Tho popular w/evangelicals, that move sparked condemnation from many Christians — including many in the Middle East. religionnews.com/2018/01/08/is-…

Trump, speaking to a group that includes many Hispanic evangelicals, is discussing his wall and, I believe (unless I misheard it), his "remain in Mexico" policy.

The audience appears to be applauding readily.

Also ftr I missed it earlier but Trump also appeared to accuse Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of “hat[ing] the Jewish people" when discussing the BDS movement.

Trump is now discussing his hair.

Trump attempting to pronounce the word "evangelist" — twice — just now was quite a thing.

Okay Franklin Graham's daughter is now at the podium. (Trump did pronounce the word "evangelist" correctly right before she spoke.)

The woman (whose name I missed, apologies) says Trump is her "neighbor" — as in, "love thy neighbor," — and promises to help him "through 2020."

Obvious theological question here: are other candidates *not* her neighbor? And does she mean she'll help Trump get elected?

The person currently at the podium — a woman of color whose name I also missed — says the "God told me to pray for my president...because my president is therefore me."

She brought the president a sign. It reads, "Never give up!"

She has now pivoted hard into a sermonette about standing up for what you believe in.

Closes by thanking Billy Graham, saying she learned about "loving one another" from the late evangelist.

Ah I’m told she’s Angel Belcher of Fifth United Holiness Church in Florida.

Trump is back at the podium, noting, “Two and a half centuries ago the movement for independence began began in the churches." Says the same is true for abolitionist and civil rights movements.

Then asks church members to go out and register to vote.

Also...

Trump appears to refer to his campaign as a "national renewal" movement.

Interesting use of religious verbiage there.

Trump closes with reference to "One nation under God."

They then cue up his sendoff music: "You Can't Always Get What You Want."