The annual AmericaFest event, hosted by Turning Point USA, brought together over 20,000 conservative activists, politicians, and faith leaders in a grand display of religious fervor and political loyalty to Donald Trump. With pyrotechnics, thunderous applause, and impassioned speeches, the gathering was as much a political rally as it was a revivalist church meeting, signaling a deepening bond between the evangelical Christian movement and the former president.
Central to the event was the portrayal of Trump as a divinely ordained leader, with Turning Point’s director Charlie Kirk opening the event by attributing Trump’s political victories to “God Almighty.” This sentiment was echoed by speakers throughout the weekend, including Ben Carson and Steve Bannon, who suggested that Trump’s leadership was part of a higher plan. Bannon went so far as to proclaim, “Divine providence works through Donald Trump as its instrument.”
Beyond religious symbolism, AmericaFest served as a strategic planning ground for mobilizing evangelical voters. Workshops and panel discussions focused on increasing voter registration within churches and circumventing legal barriers that prevent religious institutions from openly endorsing political candidates. Attendees were encouraged to establish parallel political organizations to ensure compliance with tax-exempt status regulations while actively campaigning for conservative candidates.
Blurring the Lines Between Church and State
One of the most contentious themes of AmericaFest was the push to eliminate the Johnson Amendment, a law prohibiting churches from endorsing political candidates. Advocates, including television host Gene Bailey, argued that removing this restriction would empower churches to play a more active role in elections. Critics warn, however, that such changes could open the floodgates for untraceable political donations funneled through tax-exempt institutions.
The intertwining of religion and politics was further underscored by the “Seven Mountains Mandate,” a Christian nationalist ideology that calls for control over key societal pillars, including government, education, and media. Figures like Lance Wallnau took to the stage to proclaim a vision of an America governed by Christian values, describing their movement as unstoppable.
The Impact on LGBTQ+ Rights
For LGBTQ+ individuals, the implications of this growing evangelical-political alliance are deeply concerning. Speakers at AmericaFest repeatedly invoked the need to “return to biblical values,” a coded phrase often used to justify anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Organizations like the Pacific Justice Institute, labeled as hate groups by civil rights monitors, used their platform at the event to advocate for restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, including support for conversion therapy and opposition to gender-affirming care.
Despite claims of victimization and persecution, evangelical Christians remain one of the most powerful voting blocs in the United States. Their influence on American politics, particularly within the Republican Party, cannot be overstated. For LGBTQ+ communities, this growing alignment between faith and political power represents an ongoing threat to hard-won rights and protections.
As America approaches another presidential election cycle, events like AmericaFest highlight the increasingly blurred lines between church and state and the enduring political power of the evangelical movement under Trump’s leadership.