The Awkward Love Story of Trump and American Evangelicals

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A funny thing has happened on the way to Cleveland. Ahead of the Republican National Convention, Trump has knocked every Republican opponent out of the race for United States president and managed to win endorsements from numerous critics. Most notably, many evangelicals who once opposed Trump’s candidacy are now awkwardly falling for him. This has not always been the case. When Donald Trump declared his bid for president more than a year ago, evangelical Christian leaders stood in defiant opposition. At a secret gathering of conservative religious leaders in December, 75 percent of attendees voted to bless Ted Cruz’s campaign. Marco Rubio came in a close second; support for Trump didn’t even register. Their backing seemed to represent the opinions of many of their colleagues.

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