By Kenneth A. Carlson / Original to ScheerPost
Growing up in the heartland of America, as a preacher’s kid nicknamed PK,” I was taught to apply one guiding question to every situation in life: What would Jesus do? This phrase was so deeply ingrained in my Christian friends and me that we often reduced it to four simple letters: WWJD — WWJD. From my minister father to my Sunday School teachers to our neighbors, this was more than a catchy slogan; it was a moral compass, a reminder to reflect on Christ’s actions and teachings when making decisions of my own.
But in today’s political climate — where much of the leadership feels antithetical to the Christianity I grew up with — I find myself turning the question around: What would Jesus not do?
When I look at Donald Trump, especially during this week of Easter, I struggle to find anything that aligns with the teachings of Jesus or the values that shaped my upbringing in a middle-class Christian community. President Trump’s actions in the first months of his presidency stand in stark contrast to the modesty, compassion, forgiveness and love that my friends and neighbors strive to live by — and that Jesus most certainly embodied and taught.
For years, I’ve wrestled with this question: Why are so many of my fellow Evangelical and Charismatic Christians — devoted followers of Jesus, who embodied servant leadership, humility, and love even for his enemies, who washed his disciples’ feet and stood with the poor, the sick, and the outcast — so unwavering in their support of our 47th president? Let’s put a pin in that for now; we’ll come back to it.
First a little history: The Evangelical and Charismatic Christian movements, though distinct, share deep roots in the broader Pentecostal tradition which was marked by expressive worship and spiritual gifts like healing, prophecy and miracles. Both can trace their origins to the early 20th century, which ignited a wave of spiritual fervor.
In the mid-1970s, my father stood on the front lines of that evangelical awakening. I can still recall the deep confusion I felt as I listened to him weep uncontrollably, describing how he had been “born again.” Born again? Had he somehow, in some way, been reborn? Did I now have two fathers? My young mind wrestled with the mystery of the Holy Spirit, grasping for clarity. But it soon became clear as I watched my father minister tirelessly to his congregation — day and night, through snow and sunshine. I understood my father’s renewed spirit as we prayed for others, gave thanks for the food on our plates, and recognized every good thing as a blessing.
During my teenage years I remember the voice of the Moral Majority growing from a murmur to a roar. For those who need a refresher, the Moral Majority was a powerful political movement tied to the Christian right and the Republican Party. Founded in the late 1970s by a Baptist minister my father deeply admired — Jerry Falwell Sr. — it played a pivotal role in mobilizing white conservative Christians as a massive force to politicize issues of the day, enabling Republican victories throughout the 1980s.
Today, Donald Trump, the former reality TV star, and those around him, understand how to do this all too well. They took their skillset to a new level as they somehow succeeded in fashioning him, and/or he fashioned himself, into a new role as a modern-day messiah — the Chosen One, the Second Coming, the Son of God. And I truly believe he sees himself this way. Remember, this is the same man who once bragged, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK?” The shocking thing about that statement? It’s likely to be 100% true.
And why? I believe it’s due to some extent to the unfortunate fact that critical thinking in our society is on life-support. People don’t question. They don’t dive deeply and independently into issues. They let others feed it to them in their own private echo chambers. The thirst for knowledge has been replaced by blind allegiance, paving the way for the rise of Donald “The Music Man” Trump — a master showman selling a reckless and dangerous illusion.
For those who need a refresher: The Music Man is the quintessential swindler — a silver-tongued salesman drifting from one Midwestern town to the next, peddling dreams disguised as necessity. He convinces unsuspecting townsfolk to invest in band instruments and uniforms, promising them a future filled with music and hope. The catch? He pledges to teach them how to play — despite not knowing a single note himself. And once he’s taken their money, he vanishes, leaving families disillusioned and empty-handed. Sound familiar?
Speaking of music, in church choir we routinely sang, “And They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love.” In this context, Jesus was teaching His followers that love — not judgment, not power, not wealth — was the defining characteristic of being one of his disciples. The love he spoke of is not just affection or kindness, but sacrificial, unconditional love — love that seeks the well-being of others, even in difficult circumstances.
The message is that Christians should be known for how they treat others, their compassion and their willingness to serve, just as Jesus did. So, when people hear or see the phrase “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love,” it’s a call to embody that deep, selfless love in all actions, interactions, and relationships — something that goes beyond words and beliefs to real-world, lived-out compassion.
Does this sound like the way Donald Trump lives his life? Not a chance.
To be clear, Christianity does not hold exclusive rights to the Golden Rule. The principle of treating others as you wish to be treated is a core teaching shared by many of the world’s major religions. In Judaism, it’s expressed as, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.” Islam teaches, “None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.” Buddhism teaches, “Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” Across cultures and centuries, this simple yet profound ethic has remained a guiding principle for human decency — and clearly, it’s not exclusive to any one faith.
Then, as luck would have it, the near-miraculous, narrowly averted assassination attempt on then-candidate Trump in the summer of 2024 only fueled the aforementioned delusion — both in his own mind and in the minds of his most devoted followers. It solidified the narrative that he was divinely protected. He wants you to believe he is the shepherd, standing guard over his flock, protecting them from the proverbial wolves.
It all tracks — until you remember that Donald Trump never has and never would lay down his life for anyone else. Exhibit A: Draft dodger claiming bone spurs.
It’s all about him. Not you. Not me. Certainly not his Creator, as Christians would say. Why else do you think he reveled in using rubber bullets and tear gas against peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square — just for a cheap PR stunt? Think about it. The Commander in Chief of the United States was gleeful about asserting his dominance over American citizens, all so he could pose for a photo op — holding a prop in the form of a bible he has never read in front of a church he has never attended. And his followers lapped it up. I have heard from Christian friends, “I know he’s an imperfect vessel, but at least he’s bringing Christ into the White House.”
“Bringing our Lord and Savior into the White House…” Hmm. That brings me back to my original point. Growing up in the Evangelical and Charismatic church, I was taught to place my life entirely in the hands of my Maker: God’s will be done — if I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it as many times as I have hair follicles on my head (which, of course, God knows intimately). As a “TO” (Theological Offspring), I had a front-row seat to both miracles and tragedies that unfolded regularly within our church community. In this environment, I learned to trust in Jesus — to follow, to pray, to surrender everything to God. And, truthfully, there is a deep comfort in that surrender, a sense of being held, of being cared for, that helps me sleep at night.
This is exactly what Donald Trump has tapped into. He positions himself as a godlike figure, offering his followers a false sense of security — a “Daddy’s Home” mentality (yes, there are actual T-shirts for sale on Amazon).
Trump has lulled his base into a dangerous complacency, even as they watch stock markets tumble, inflation soar, entire agencies dismantled, jobs slashed, tariff wars escalated, and unemployment climb. Yet the news they consume assures them it’s all part of his grand plan, and so they wait — idly, expectantly — for a miracle. I never thought my livelihood would be at risk when I voted for him, they say, as if the consequences were unforeseeable.
But critical thinking has been shoved to the backseat, while blind faith handed Trump the wheel. Many have stopped questioning, stopped discerning, stopped seeking truth — because they believe the Almighty Donald Trump will ultimately take care of business.
Nothing could be further from the truth — and the sheer number of his businesses that have filed for bankruptcy should be proof enough. Six of his companies (that we know of) have sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, allowing them to continue operating while erasing massive debts. But behind that legal maneuvering lies a harsh reality: hundreds, perhaps thousands, of workers, vendors, and small businesses left unpaid for their goods and services, are bearing the cost of his failures.
But none of that seems to matter to his unwavering base — the citizens of this so-called God-fearing nation. As a collective, today’s Evangelical and Charismatic Christians appear all too willing to believe a man who promises to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East within hours, slash grocery prices, “end inflation,” and miraculously lower the cost of eggs. He also assures us the economy will be “the best ever” — thanks, in large part, to tariffs imposed on both allies and adversaries alike. Few reputable economists would dispute the fact that American consumers will ultimately bear the cost of these tariffs — better known as taxes.
And yet, just over two months into his second term, none of these campaign promises have materialized — not even close. In fact, some might argue the exact opposite has happened.
So why do people still believe him? Why do they worship him with such fervent devotion? Why do they trust him with blind, unquestioning enthusiasm? I believe it’s because he has transcended the role of a mere politician. He has fashioned himself into something greater — a deity of sorts — untouchable, unquestionable, and, to many, infallible.
Trump’s will be done.
So when I ask myself today, ”What would Jesus do?,” the answer seems clear: seek truth, think critically, care for “the other” and break free from the echo chambers that breed blind allegiance. Because if we don’t, our Constitution could erode, our democracy could falter, and Donald Trump could seize the power to declare himself president for an unconstitutional third term — or worse, for life.
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Kenneth A. Carlson
Kenneth A. Carlson directed and produced the feature length documentary, THE HEART OF NUBA, profiling the courageous and selfless efforts of Dr. Tom Catena, the sole doctor for a million patients in the war-torn Nuba Mountains of Sudan. THE HEART OF NUBA was released theatrically in the US and has been screened for US Congress on Capitol Hill, British Parliament’s House of Lords at Westminster Palace in London, the Italian Senate in Rome, the Sudanese Parliament in Khartoum and the International Criminal Court in Den Hague. It has been projected in every continent and screened in a host of film festivals from Hollywood to Shanghai. Maria Shriver serves as the film’s executive producer. The film is currently available on Hulu, iTunes, Amazon. Sony and the BBC.
He recently completed THOSE WHO SERVE, a long form documentary that documents the journeys of three psychologically wounded American combat veterans who’ve committed crimes and are now struggling to find a just outcome in the judicial system. The film gives viewers an unprecedented access to real-life courtroom dramas that takes painful, intimate, sometimes hopeful and sometimes sobering turns.
Carlson is currently in production on the documentary IN HIS DEFENSE about Death Row inmate, Kevin Cooper, who has been incarcerated in San Quentin State Prison for over 36 years. Interviews for this feature length film include Nicholas Kristof, Mike Farrell and Kim Kardashian.
Carlson’s other feature documentaries include GO TIGERS!, AMARGOSA, STEPPIN’, WILD BILL HOLLYWOOD MAVERICK amongst others. For nearly seven years, Carlson directed, produced and wrote more than 275 feature segments for AMERICA’S MOST WANTED which aired for 26 seasons on The Fox Network. His efforts have resulted in the capture and incarceration of more than 72 of the country’s most wanted criminals. For a full list of Carlson’s credits go to IMDB.
THE HEART OF NUBA/DOCTOR TOM is currently in development with ABC Signature to become a scripted series. Carlson will be executive producing along with Erica Messer.
Carlson’s love for photography has taken him from the Artic to Antarctica while his images have been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, Lindblad/National Geographic Travel catalogs and numerous other travel and entertainment websites.