A new report by The Independent has revealed that a significant portion of the American public views former President Donald Trump’s rise to power as part of a “divine plan,” according to recent surveys by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and the Pew Research Center.

The PRRI poll, which surveyed over 5,700 respondents across US states, found that one in four Americans believes God destined Trump to win the 2024 presidential election. Among white evangelical Protestants, that figure rose to 60%, while 45% of Hispanic Protestants shared the same belief.

The survey also found that 80% of Christian nationalists expressed strong support for Trump, with 81% of this group also endorsing the QAnon conspiracy theory.

By contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris drew overwhelming support from Black Protestant voters (83%), 72% of non-religious respondents, 67% of non-Christian faith adherents, and 62% of Jewish voters.

Catholic voters appeared split along ethnic lines, with 59% of white Catholics backing Trump and 55% of Hispanic Catholics supporting Harris.

'God chose Trump'

A separate Pew Research Center poll revealed that 4% of Americans believe God chose Trump because they agree with his policies, while 32% said his election was “part of God’s will,” though not necessarily an endorsement of his agenda. Nearly half of respondents (49%) said God does not intervene in elections, and 14% stated they do not believe in God.

The surveys highlighted the pivotal role of white evangelicals, with 63% describing Trump’s election as divinely ordained and 51% admitting that religion strongly influences their political decisions—the highest rate among all religious groups.

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Frequent church attendance also correlated with support for Trump: 77% of white evangelicals who rarely attend church said they voted for him, illustrating the enduring link between religious identity and political allegiance.

Religious rhetoric surrounding Trump has intensified since his survival of two assassination attempts. During a New York rally, one supporter called him a “savior,” while comparing Kamala Harris to “the devil” and “the Antichrist.” Pastor Paula White also described his survival as a “divine miracle.”

Meanwhile, the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, a prominent Trump supporter, was portrayed by his followers as part of a broader “war on conservative religious values.”

Trump continues to enjoy strong backing among white evangelicals: 72% approve of his performance, 69% praise his moral character, and 57% trust him more than any previous US president.

Trump using Kirk killing for authoritarianism

Following the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, US President Donald Trump and his MAGA allies have launched sweeping political attacks on liberal organizations, public figures, and civil society groups, actions that legal scholars and historians warn are signs of accelerating Trump authoritarianism, according to The Guardian's Peter Stone.

Stone states that the killing, allegedly committed by a lone gunman, has sparked conspiracy theories and intensified rhetoric from Trump, who accused liberal groups of fostering the environment that led to the act. While mourning Kirk, Trump has turned his attention to a broader offensive on the so-called “radical left,” vowing to pursue individuals and organizations he claims are tied to political violence.

At Kirk’s memorial, where the late activist’s widow expressed forgiveness, Trump struck a combative tone, “I hate my opponents and I don’t wish the best for them.”

Stone adds that this statement, viewed by experts as deeply unpresidential, added fuel to what scholars describe as an emerging "authoritarian playbook": using an act of political violence to justify suppressing dissent.

Legal experts warn of domestic terrorism overreach

Trump’s response to Kirk’s killing has included designating Antifa a “domestic terrorist organization,” although such a legal designation doesn’t exist under US law. His administration also issued a memo titled “Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence," directing agencies to investigate groups allegedly supporting political violence.

Meanwhile, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, accused the Democratic Party of being a “domestic extremist organization” and pledged action against a “vast domestic terror network.”

Stone says that experts warn that such language sets a dangerous precedent. David Pozen, a Columbia Law School professor, told The Guardian, “Authoritarian regimes vilify critics and dissolve boundaries between the state and civil society. Trump is exhibiting all of these tendencies.”