I received an email from a blog reader the other day, and I was about to toss it aside when I reconsidered. I realized it contained fascinating, if disturbing, insights into why people like QAnon believers and lovers pf conspiracy theories follow Donald Trump.

This is not to say all Trump followers have the same motivation. But some doubtless share the mindset described by this letter writer (who suggests that “MILLIONS” do), and it goes to the point of why evangelicals, in particular, feel a bizarre affinity for a man whose values seem to represent the antithesis of Jesus’ teachings.

What follows is the letter, unedited and in its entirety with the exception of the writer’s name. My responses are interspersed in bold italics.

“Subject: Re: Your Trump, Snake story opinion corrections

Message: Submitted to Stephen H. Provost online on 27 June 2021.
Stephen, you cannot see the forest for the trees. When all of this comes out, people will be talking about him for 1,000 years.”

All of “this”? All of what? This is a typical tactic of conspiracy theorists: claiming to know something they don’t in order to feel superior, but never actually telling you what it is. Trump himself uses this tactic often enough when he says “we’ll see” or “you’ll have to wait to find out.” But there’s nothing to see or find out, because it’s all smoke and mirrors.

Also, I seriously doubt people will be talking about Trump for 1,000 years, but I have no way of knowing, and neither does the writer unless the person is capable of time travel.

“You clearly do not have any idea about what he says or talks about. Remember this: God can use any man willing to hear Him and trust Him.”

Even if I were to concede this, it couldn’t be clearer that Trump trusts no one but himself. (He even said, “Only I can fix it.”) He doesn’t go to church, doesn’t know the Bible, and has never been religious. The fact that he held a Bible up in front of a church that didn’t want him there after having peaceful protesters dispersed with tear gas doesn’t qualify him as trusting God.

“Trump was asked to run for president against the snake. The people that asked Trump to run knew exactly what the snake and viper gang had planned for America.”

No one asked Trump to run. He made the decision himself. Also, I don’t think snakes qualify to run for president under the Constitution, unless you’re talking about Jake “The Snake” Roberts, who I don’t believe has any such ambitions.

“God anointed Trump when he took office, and you will be shocked at what will be revealed. Pride goes before the fall. There are MILLIONS of Americans that speak ‘Trump Code’. No conspiracy theories needed. Facts are facts.”

Presidents are elected, not anointed. There is no evidence that God or anyone else anointed Trump. Saying it doesn’t make it so, and neither does believing it. Trump loves to dangle invisible carrots in front of people and make them believe there’s something there when there isn’t — because they want to believe it.

I will be shocked? I doubt it. Nothing shocks me except how many people fall for this snake-oil salesman, and even that doesn’t shock me anymore. And if you know what’s going to be “revealed,” why don’t you tell me yourself? I’ll tell you why: Because you don’t know.

There is no “Trump Code.” The funniest thing about this is that Trump didn’t make up any “code”; his followers did and attributed it to him so they could have something to believe in when he failed to deliver what he promised. This kind of revisionist thinking is typical of apocalyptic cults: They set a date for “doomsday,” and when it doesn’t arrive on schedule, they change it so they don’t have to face up to the fact that they were wrong. Now they’re doing it with the 2020 election, saying Trump will be “reinstated” on this or that date, then moving it back when it doesn’t happen.

No conspiracy theories needed? I agree. This stuff is absurd enough on its own.

Facts are facts? Yes, they are. And bullshit is bullshit.

“You may hate Trump for whatever reason.”

I actually just hate B.S. and I hate it when people who are clueless pretend to be experts on things that others (like scientists) have studied for years in order to understand. Trump just happens to spew more B.S. than just about anyone else I’ve ever encountered.

“I wanted someone else to win myself. HOWEVER, I am not naïve to the workings of the Lord. I thought abandoned and wrong after the election. Then talking to the Lord, griping about snakes and vipers in DC, I asked something close to, "Why didn't You just send in a bigger snake that could eat those vipers in that DC Swamp?" (Thinking what a mess things were on 04Nov2020.) I heard within me a crystal-clear answer, "I DID! JEREMIAH 50:24-25) Let’s see if I'm right, Stephen.”

I’m sorry, but talking to yourself (“I heard within me”) is no way to arrive at a rational decision.

Also, the verse referenced has nothing to do with Trump, but with events that happened roughly 2,600 years ago. That’s kind of like saying a Greek oracle predicting the winner of the first Olympics was actually talking about the USA Basketball team winning the gold medal in 1996. I don’t believe in Greek oracles, but if I did, I’d believe they were talking about what they SAID they were talking about, not something else hundreds of years in the future.

But say, for the sake of argument, that you wanted to apply this verse to Trump. It could very easily be argued that Trump himself was the “trap” for Babylon — a nation that came to represent greed, debauchery, and selfishness. What better trap than someone who represents all those things? A millionaire egotist who doesn’t pay his debts, has been accused of groping multiple women and swindling people who worked for him.

“God uses metaphors, allegories, and wisdom we do not always understand until after the facts are revealed. Ever notice Trump does the same?”

There it is: Equating Trump with God. Now that’s a pretty damn good definition of blasphemy. On top of which, Jesus came up with some pretty profound allegories (parables). Nothing Trump has said is anything like them. Let’s see: “You cannot serve God and mammon.” Who said that? Jesus or Trump? I’ll give you one guess.

“He makes many references to '17' every time he can. I wonder why? I wonder why so many people understand Trump and support him? Because we recognize the difference between the man God uses Vs an evil snake being used.”

I’ve heard him make a lot more references to “no collusion” and “perfect calls” and “witch hunts” than to the number 17. I make a lot of references to the Golden State Warriors and spinach salads. That doesn’t mean I’m speaking in some secret code.

And Trump is considered someone used by God based on what? One would presume you’d be looking for Christ-like behavior, such as, I don’t know, turning the other cheek instead of continually plotting vengeance against anyone who opposes him. The Bible clearly indicates that God reserves vengeance for himself. Or is this another indication that you think Trump is God?

“God is in control of all of this. I took time to write you not to have you write me back. I wrote you to ***think***. Not to attack... but to think about something bigger than the drivel you have written.”

Funny. The words “not to attack” are almost immediately followed by an attack on my writing as “drivel.” Not that I care. Just wanted to point out the hypocrisy of it.

“Want to be a successful writer? Chose a subject that matters to most people and give it an honest look with ‘opened’ eyes.”

Chose? I presume “choose” is the word that was meant.

“This IS A TIME OF A GREAT AWAKENING. The other side calls it 'being woke'. This will come down to Good Vs Evil. Ask the Lord to reveal His will and Truth to you as what happened to Saul on the Damascus Road. I do not know you from Adam's house cat.”

Adam had a house cat? Being a cat person, I’d find that pretty damn cool. Except I thought Adam lived in a garden, and cats weren’t domesticated until the time of the pharaohs.

“For *some reason* (cough) I was led to write you.”

Not sure what the coughing is about. Maybe some cough drops are wanted. As to being “led,” I prefer my own path to being led around by the nose by Trump or anyone like him.

“I have prayed for your conversion and for your eyes to be opened wide. A change is coming in your life. Sincerely, ------- (PS I like my snake *story* better, now that I think about it! And mine is true.)”

I don’t pray for other people’s “conversion” because I respect them enough to let them make their own decisions, even if I don’t agree with them. The only way I’d ever want to convert someone would be through rational discussion. But if they don’t wind up agreeing with me, it won’t ruin my day.

I removed the writer’s name because it’s not important. What is important is the thought process, which is based not on evidence but on supposition, confirmation bias, demonizing those who disagree, and badly misplaced hero worship.

If you wonder why people follow Trump so blindly, this might offer some insight — even if it still doesn’t make much sense to the rational mind.