Christian Conservatives Cut Ties With Trump & Look Forward To DeSantis Presidential Bid

Conservative Christian leaders, once Donald Trump‘s most ardent supporters, appear to be cutting ties with the former President.

Multiple faith leaders have renounced their support of Trump, referencing the January 6 attack, disappointing midterm results for Republicans and an interest in new standard-bearers.

Many have referenced Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) as a preferred candidate.

Evangelical pastor, Brad Cranston, voted for Trump twice but is now considering new candidates. Cranston aligned with Trump on judicial appointments and Covid-19 restrictions but saw Trump’s current bid as selfish. He wants candidates with a “strong biblical worldview.”

“The one who I really think has the best chance and is a fighter is Ron DeSantis,” Cranston told the Washington Post. He liked how DeSantis “has had the courage to take on the woke crowd.”

The leaders embraced DeSantis’ political battles against gender identity, immigration policy, public health mandates and abortion access.

The move to DeSantis underscores fears that religious values are under attack by the left. It may also represent a seismic shift in Trump’s political calculations, who has relied heavily on Evangelical supporters.

“59% of voters who frequently attend religious services cast their ballot for Trump,” Pew Research wrote of the 2020 Presidential election.

Meanwhile, Trump continued to rail against Christian leaders during rallies in North Carolina and New Hampshire. He rebuked religious leaders for their slow-moving endorsements. He also angered many on the religious right by criticizing the Republican party’s stance on abortion rights as being too extreme.

DeSantis has led Trump in multiple polls following the 2022 midterm elections. Trump has chastised the Florida governor for his Covid-19 policies, calling him “average” and “very disloyal.”