The other day, I was watching the news on TV, and there was an interview between a news anchor and a pastor from the US. The anchor asked if Donald Trump’s actions were truly in line with Christian values, especially now that he’s in his second term as President and seems determined to carry on with heavy tariffs and bold moves. The pastor rambled about flawed people in the Old Testament, saying God uses imperfect folks to fulfill His work. Then he pivoted to saying how Jesus told people to pay their taxes (Matthew 22:21, NIV), comparing that to the current wave of trade tariffs. Truthfully, I’m not buying it. We’re not under the Roman Empire, and these tariffs don’t line up with that verse.
I’m from the UK, and I’ve seen how large corporations from certain countries sometimes come in, dominate our markets, reap massive profits, and barely contribute in taxes. Now, Trump keeps insisting that other countries are ripping off the United States—so his solution is to slap everyone with tariffs. But it really looks like he’s the one trying to dominate. It’s that “might is right” mentality, and it’s hard to see anything Christlike in it.
I’ve heard arguments that God often chooses flawed people, and yes, the Bible is full of folks who fell into sin. But to use that as a blanket excuse for ongoing corruption and harsh behavior isn’t right. The Bible tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NIV). But God also calls us to repentance, humility, and turning away from those sins. When Trump lashes out at anyone who dares to question him—calling them liars or labeling their concerns as “fake news”—it takes a toll on the credibility of people who stand firmly for Christian values. And let’s not forget the fruits of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22, NIV). I rarely see those values reflected.
Mixing politics and Christianity in this way can drive people away from the faith. Many folks watch leaders spout Bible verses yet show behaviors that contradict the teachings of Jesus. Standing up for the vulnerable—and I’m very pro-life in that sense—means caring about every stage of life, including how we treat the poorest in society. It’s about ensuring they aren’t overlooked or exploited. When a president enacts policies that deepen poverty, ignore the immigrant, or belittle other nations, that doesn’t align with looking out for “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40, NIV). The pattern we’ve seen—fearmongering, pride, relentless self-promotion—doesn’t scream “love your neighbor” (Matthew 22:39, NIV).
I know we all slip up. But the refusal to own mistakes, the bullying of critics, and the constant wave of unrepentant behavior don’t point to a leader truly guided by Christian faith. If anything, it feels like a power-grab wrapped in religious language. It alienates people, makes them skeptical of churches, and reinforces the idea that Christianity is just a political tool. Unfortunately, this can give a platform to those who say that if you’re not on Trump’s side, you’re against God. That’s off-putting and damaging, not least because it drives a wedge between genuine faith and a political figure’s ego trip.
Where do you stand on all this? Does any of this sit right with you?
