Southern Baptist leader Albert Mohler, a prominent voice in conservative Christian politics, has raised alarm over former President Donald Trump’s recent policy positions and their potential to impact his backing from evangelical voters.
In an interview on The New York Times podcast, The Run-Up, Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, cautioned that Trump’s inconsistent stances on issues such as abortion and in vitro fertilization (IVF) might alienate conservative Christian voters. Mohler suggested that these shifts could lead to diminished enthusiasm or even disengagement from Trump’s campaign in the upcoming November elections.
Mohler’s critique focuses on Trump’s fluctuating views on abortion. While Trump has previously taken credit for the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade—a significant victory for the anti-abortion movement—his recent remarks, where he downplayed abortion’s significance in the current election and criticized Florida’s six-week abortion ban as “too short,” have raised concerns among pro-life advocates.
“I have no idea what Donald Trump really believes about abortion,” Mohler said, expressing frustration over Trump’s perceived unpredictability on the issue. Trump’s subsequent reversal on his criticism did little to alleviate concerns from staunch anti-abortion supporters like Mohler, who fear that Trump’s shifting positions could weaken his base’s support.
Mohler also voiced unease regarding Trump’s stance on IVF, especially after the former president suggested that his administration might mandate insurance coverage for the procedure. Social conservatives, including Mohler, view the destruction of human embryos in IVF as a significant moral issue. Mohler argued that Trump’s comments reflect a lack of understanding and coherence on the subject, further straining his relationship with evangelical voters.
“Trump is in grave danger,” Mohler warned, emphasizing that without robust support from anti-abortion voters, Trump’s path to victory could be jeopardized. Despite his critiques, Mohler did not explicitly state he would vote against Trump but described the decision facing evangelical voters as choosing the “lesser of two evils,” a sentiment common in conservative Christian circles.
Mohler noted that many evangelicals feel they have no choice but to support Trump over a Democratic candidate like Kamala Harris, who has a clear stance on abortion rights. However, he acknowledged a noticeable decline in enthusiasm among younger evangelical voters, which could pose a challenge for Trump’s reelection bid.
A recent analysis by Newsweek indicates that support for Trump among MAGA pastors might be waning, with some signing petitions against voting for him. This trend suggests that Trump could be losing crucial support from a key base of his electorate.
As the election nears, Mohler’s warnings highlight a broader concern within the evangelical community about Trump’s commitment to core conservative values and the potential consequences for his campaign.
