A new video proclaiming “God Made Trump” went viral and sparked pushback from Christian and conservative commentators across the spectrum over the weekend, who said the video’s messianic-like message -- it claims Trump “will never leave nor forsake” America -- is blasphemous.
Trump shared the 150-second video on his Truth Social accounts, and it was soon shared with no commentary by other Trump supporters, including Paula White-Cain and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
The video mirrors the “God Made a Farmer” monologue by the late radio personality Paul Harvey and uses AI technology to copy his voice. (Harvey died in 2009.) It has millions of views across various social media channels.
“And on June 14th, 1946, God looked down on his planned Paradise, and said, I need a caretaker,” the video says. “So God gave us Trump. God said I need somebody willing to get up before dawn. Fix this country. Work all day. Fight the Marxists. Eat supper. Then, go to the Oval Office and stay past midnight at a meeting of the heads of state. So God made Trump.”
Moments later, the video says, “God said, I need somebody who will be strong and courageous, who will not be afraid or terrified of the wolves when they attack, a man who cares for the flock. A shepherd to mankind who will never leave nor forsake them.”
The “never leave nor forsake” language is a reference to God’s words in Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.” It is quoted elsewhere in Scripture.
(Scroll down for the full text.)
For a brief while, “God Made Trump” was trending on X (formerly Twitter). The video drew plenty of criticism.
“The first part of this ad didn’t seem like a big deal. The takeoff of the classic Paul Harvey ‘God made a farmer’ part is fine. But that bit in the middle -- ‘a shepherd to mankind who won’t ever leave nor forsake them.’ That is blasphemy and idolatry,” reporter Megan Basham of The Daily Wire wrote.
The first part of this ad didn’t seem like a big deal. The takeoff of the classic Paul Harvey “God made a farmer” part is fine. But that bit in the middle—“a shepherd to mankind who won’t ever leave nor forsake them.” That is blasphemy and idolatry.
— Megan Basham (@megbasham) January 6, 2024
pic.twitter.com/bqPLXx1W4q
Denny Burk, professor of biblical studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, posted the video on X and criticized it by quoting Scripture.
“‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.’ -- Exodus 20:7. ‘Nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.’ -- Acts 17:25,” Burk wrote.
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” -Exodus 20:7
— Denny Burk (@DennyBurk) January 6, 2024
“Nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.”… https://t.co/inoUcS68O0
Blogger and pro-life advocate Samuel Sey also criticized it.
“There are two Republican presidential candidates who are better options than Donald Trump. However, it’s not inherently sinful for some Christians to vote for Trump. But it’s absolutely sinful to vote for him while defending this blasphemous ad,” Sey wrote.
Some defended the video.
“I can’t believe, after all Trump did for America and Christianity, that so many of you are so quick to throw him under the bus. He isn’t perfect, but he’s perfect for the job that needs to be done,” one person wrote.
Below is the full script from the video:
“And on June 14th, 1946, God looked down on His planned Paradise and said, I need a caretaker. So God gave us Trump. God said I need somebody willing to get up before dawn. Fix this country. Work all day. Fight the Marxists. Eat supper. Then, go to the Oval Office and stay past midnight at a meeting of the heads of state. So God made Trump.
“I need somebody with arms strong enough to wrestle the deep state and yet gentle enough to deliver his own grandchild. Somebody to ruffle the feathers. Tame the cantankerous World Economic Forum. Come home hungry. Have to wait until the First Lady is done with lunch with friends. Then tell the ladies to be sure and come back real soon -- and mean it. So God gave us Trump.
“I need somebody who can shape an ax but wield a sword. Who had the courage to step foot in North Korea. Who can make money from the tar of the sand turned liquid to gold? Who understands the difference between tariffs and inflation? He will finish his 40-hour week by Tuesday noon but then put in another 72 hours. So God made Trump.
“God had to have somebody willing to go into the den of vipers. Call out the fake news for their tongues as sharp as serpents. The poison of vipers is on their lips. And yet stop. So God made Trump.
“God said, I need somebody who will be strong and courageous, who will not be afraid or terrified of the wolves when they attack, a man who cares for the flock. A shepherd to mankind who will never leave nor forsake them. I need the most diligent worker to follow the path, remain strong in faith, and know the belief in God and country. Somebody who is willing to drill and bring back manufacturing and American jobs. Farm the lands. Secure our borders. Build our military. Fight the system all day and finish a hard week’s work by attending church on Sunday. And then his oldest son turns and says, Dad, let’s make America great again. Dad, let’s build back a country to be the envy of the world again. So God made Trump.”
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
