Christian Voters Lead the Way in Donald Trump’s Unprecedented Comeback
By Junaid Qaiser
Former President Donald J. Trump has won the 2024 presidential election, propelled by a powerful coalition of evangelical Christians, pro-life advocates, parents, Hispanics, and other key groups. This collective effort helped him secure a victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, paving the way for what he promised would be a “golden age of America.” Christian leaders, like those from the Family Policy Alliance and the Family Research Council, played a pivotal role in mobilizing millions of Christian voters who had abstained from voting in recent elections.
“An estimated 32 million Christians sat out the 2020 election, as well as 2022,” said Craig DeRoche, president of the Family Policy Alliance, during a special election evening program. “And we think that’s why the so-called red wave did not reach the shore.” This year, however, the focused efforts of organizations like Policy Alliance and Family Research Council succeeded in energizing the Christian voter base, turning out a record number of evangelical voters.
Pastor Jack Hibbs, founder of Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills, California, explained how Christians voted on issues central to their faith, supporting pro-life policies and advocating for border security. “Our God is a God of order and borders,” Hibbs emphasized, underscoring the alignment between evangelical beliefs and Trump’s policy priorities.
With renewed optimism, Christians now look forward to a Trump administration that they believe will support their ability to live out their faith and influence America’s direction. Family Research Council President Tony Perkins expressed hope for a brighter future, saying, “This is going to be much better for evangelicals and their ability to live out their faith in America and even the world.”
Perkins also noted that this moment is seen as divinely ordained by many. “God has entrusted to us this moment in history. And we will give an account for it,” he said, adding that they are moving forward “in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Trump’s victory was achieved by surpassing previous election metrics and carrying key battleground states. He exceeded the necessary 270 electoral votes by winning swing states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Wisconsin, while also holding a lead in Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada. This victory marked an extraordinary comeback, and Trump is poised to be the first Republican to win the popular vote since 2004.
Speaking to a jubilant crowd in West Palm Beach, Trump declared, “This will forever be remembered as the day the American people regained control of their country.” Reflecting on the spiritual undertones of his campaign, he added, “Many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason: to save our country and restore America to greatness. And now we are going to fulfill that mission together.”
Vice President-Elect J.D. Vance echoed the celebratory sentiment, calling it “the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States.” He assured supporters that the administration would “never stop fighting for you” and is determined to lead an economic revival.
With Christian voters at the core of his support, Trump’s return to the White House is seen by many as a pivotal moment, renewing hope among evangelical communities and setting the stage for a future shaped by faith-driven values.
The Washington Post included a religion analysis in its 2024 summary of exit polls, as it did in 2020.
One can see that Trump appears to have made gains among Christians, as well as among non-Christian people of faith.
Trump’s share of the Catholic vote rose by nine percentage points.
- In 2020, 47% of Catholics voted for Trump, while 52% voted for President Joe Biden, according to The Washington Post. In 2024, 56% voted for Trump, while 41% voted for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump’s share of the Protestant/Other Christian vote rose by two percentage points.
- In 2020, 60% of Protestants or other Christians voted for Trump, while 39% voted for Biden. In 2024, 62% voted for Trump, while 37% voted for Harris.
In the 2024 election, several leading Christian figures, organizations, and associations publicly supported Donald Trump’s campaign, seeing his platform as aligned with their values on issues like religious freedom, pro-life policies, and family rights. Here are some notable names and organizations:
Key Christian Leaders:
- Franklin Graham – President of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, who actively advocated for Trump, emphasizing his support for religious liberty and conservative values.
- Tony Perkins – President of the Family Research Council, who encouraged Christian voters to support Trump for his stance on pro-life issues and traditional family values.
- Jack Hibbs – Pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in California, who mobilized his congregation and broader community in support of Trump’s re-election.
- Robert Jeffress – Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, a vocal supporter of Trump’s policies, particularly regarding religious freedom and opposition to secularism.
- James Dobson – Founder of Focus on the Family, who has endorsed Trump in previous elections and aligned with his pro-family and pro-life stances.
- Paula White-Cain – Evangelical pastor and Trump’s former spiritual advisor, who continued to rally support within faith communities.
Leading Christian Organizations:
- Family Research Council (FRC) – Actively supported Trump’s campaign, emphasizing issues like pro-life policies, religious freedom, and traditional marriage.
- Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) – While not directly endorsing candidates, ADF leaders expressed support for Trump’s policies on religious liberty and free speech.
- Faith & Freedom Coalition – Led by Ralph Reed, the organization worked to mobilize evangelical voters for Trump and other conservative candidates.
- American Family Association (AFA) – Advocated for conservative Christian values and supported Trump’s stances on family, life, and religious liberty.
- My Faith Votes – A nonpartisan organization that encouraged Christians to vote, highlighting Trump’s positions on key faith issues.
- Family Policy Alliance – Engaged Christian voters by underscoring Trump’s commitment to religious freedom and opposition to progressive social policies.
- Concerned Women for America (CWA) – Led by Penny Nance, the group backed Trump for his pro-life policies and stances on women’s issues from a conservative perspective.
These leaders and organizations focused on mobilizing the Christian base, emphasizing Trump’s policies that they believed aligned with biblical values and conservative social principles. Their support was instrumental in driving a large turnout among evangelical and pro-life voters in 2024.