In light of recent antisemitic statements made by Donald Trump, at least one former American Evangelical Trump backer has spoken out against the controversial former President.

The Washington Post points out that many evangelical leaders in the United States have been mostly silent on Trump’s reported comments. Mike Evans, however, a Texas Pastor and former Trump advisor, was “horrified” by Trump’s words and said they would likely offend a large number of evangelical voters and supporters of the 45th President.

Evans shared a letter he wrote to Trump with the Washington Post, asking him to “understand that Benjamin Netanyahu has much greater support among evangelicals in America than you.”

“Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

The letter continued:

“Please, I beg of you, don’t put us in the position to choose between you and Bible land. There is no possibility you can win again if Bible-believing evangelicals see you as the ‘F–k Netanyahu’ president who . . . blames the State of Israel, and not the Palestinians, for not making peace.”

Last week, Donald Trump complained that Israel’s influence over the United States’ government had weakened, and among other antisemitic statements, suggested that Jews conspire behind the scenes to control many governments and world events.

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In an interview with conservative Ari Hoffman, Trump said:

“The biggest change I’ve seen in Congress is Israel literally owned Congress — you understand that — 10 years ago, 15 years ago, and it was so powerful. It was so powerful, and today it’s almost the opposite.  You have between AOC and [Rep. Ilhan] Omar — and these people that hate Israel, they hate it with a passion — they’re controlling Congress, and Israel is not a force in Congress anymore. I mean, it’s just amazing. I’ve never seen such a change, and we’re not talking about over a very long period of time, but I think you know exactly what I’m saying. They had such power, Israel had such power — and rightfully — over Congress, and now it doesn’t. It’s incredible, actually.”

Last year, the former President criticized Omar as antisemitic last year for similarly suggesting that the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC was buying political support in Washington, D.C.

Trump continued with Hoffman:

“Unbelievably, Democrats also continue to stand by crazed anti-American Rep. Ilhan Omar, and others, who savagely attack Israel while they are under terrorist assault.”

In recent interviews with author Barak Ravid for a book on recent Middle East/US relations, Trump had strong words for former Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu,  formerly a close political ally. “I haven’t spoken to him since,” Trump said about Netanyahu, adding, “F**k him.”

“Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Trump was reportedly angered when Netanyahu congratulated then President-elect Joe Biden for his election victory over Trump while Trump was still disputing the election results.

“The first person that congratulated [Biden] was Bibi Netanyahu, the man that I did more for than any other person I dealt with. … Bibi could have stayed quiet. He has made a terrible mistake.”

 

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Christopher Powell