The Prophets of Trump

Dangerous Narratives of an Alternate Reality

By: Max Ridgway

Narrated by: ChasMandala

A new breed of prophet has appeared. Unlike the stereotypical prophets of the past, these modern-day prophets are not looking for the end of the world or the second coming of Christ. Instead, they seek political influence and ultimately control. As one of them has stated succinctly, “There’s no reason why [Christians] should not rule this nation."

The Prophets of Trump tells the story of these politically minded prophets and their growing obsession with Donald Trump, whom they elevated to the status of a biblical character. The story begins in 2016, when a prophet named Jeremiah Johnson predicted, against all odds, the election of Donald Trump in his presidential race against Hillary Clinton. By the 2020 campaign, dozens of prophets had joined Johnson in predicting, loudly and publicly, the reelection of Trump, whom they now saw as “anointed and appointed” by God to serve a second term.

When Trump failed to win reelection and their prophecies were shown to be incorrect, the prophets doubled down, reasserting their original predictions, and concocting ever more elaborate justifying narratives centered on the claim of a stolen election. The Prophets of Trump tells the story of the Trump presidency as seen through the lens of his evangelical supporters and the prophets, who came to view him as a kind of political savior.

©2021 Max Ridgway (P)2021 Max Ridgway