(The Epoch Times)—A new “Believers for Trump” coalition of church congregations aims to boost support among people of faith for former President Donald Trump, and the group’s companion “Believers and Ballots” program will focus on registering voters and making sure they cast ballots.
The former president announced those initiatives at a Christian conference on July 26 at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida.
He opened his remarks at The Believers’ Summit by acknowledging that he survived an assassination attempt through “the power of prayer and the grace of Almighty God.”
The Florida conference marked the first time that former President Trump has appeared in public without a bandage covering his gunshot wound. “I just took off the last bandage off of my ear,” he told the audience, adding that he was going to “talk about religion a little more than usual.”
“I don’t want to scold you,” the former president told the Christian gathering. But, he said, Christians often fail to exercise their “tremendous power” as a voting bloc.
“You can now vote in church,” he said, noting that North Carolina launches the nation’s early-voting season on Sept. 6. He most recently visited that state on July 24, drawing a capacity crowd of about 11,000 people to the Bojangles Coliseum there.
Attendance estimates for the Florida event, which was organized by Turning Point USA Faith and Turning Point Action, were not available.
As the Republican nominee, former President Trump is expected to face Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election. She has become the leading contender to become the Democrats’ presidential nominee after President Joe Biden’s departure from the race on July 21.
Christians, Non-Christians Voted Differently
In the 2020 election between President Trump and candidate Joe Biden, “Americans’ religious identities were clearly related to their vote,” Gallup polls noted.
White evangelical Christians made up about one-fourth of the electorate, “and they voted overwhelmingly for Trump,” Gallup said. About 65 percent of people who had no religious identity voted for Mr. Biden, who also enjoyed strong support from “almost all non-Christian groups.”
Now, the former president is urging his Christian audience like those at the summit: “You gotta vote.”
Turnout needs to be so large that it would overcome any possible irregularities, he said, joining the crowd in chanting, “Too big to rig!”
The audience also chanted, “Fight! Fight! Fight!” with raised fists, repeating what former President Trump said and did when he rose to his feet after being shot.
Noting that opponents have accused him of being a “threat to democracy,” the former president said, “I took a bullet for democracy!”
‘Anti-Christian Bias’ a Concern
He promised the audience he would safeguard religious rights, noting that government officials restricted church services during the COVID-19 pandemic—a violation of constitutional rights, he said.
Upon winning reelection, the former president said he would create a new federal task force to combat “anti-Christian bias.”
That group would focus on investigating “all forms of illegal discrimination, harassment, and persecution against Christians in America,” former President Trump said, reiterating a pledge he made late last summer at the Pray, Vote, Stand Summit in Washington.
“Americans of faith are not a threat to our country. They are the soul of our country,” the former president said.
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Reverend Offers Admonishment
Former President Trump, known for his frank and sometimes-colorful language, enjoyed a lighthearted moment with the audience when he admitted that he doesn’t always adhere to religious leaders’ admonishments.
The Rev. Franklin Graham had implored him in a note: “please don’t use foul language,” the former president said. The audience applauded, and he continued: “I tried it for a couple of nights, actually … it didn’t work out so well.”
“I use a politically correct word,” he said, “and the whole thing just falls flat.”
The audience chuckled along with former President Trump, who said, with playful exasperation: “I’m trying, Franklin!”
The former president said that although he loves Christians and is one himself, he believes in standing up for religious liberty for other faiths, including Judaism.
Earlier in the day, he met at his Mar-a-Lago, Florida, home with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—leader of the Jewish state.
The former president said that, upon reelection as president, he would support Israel in its quest to win a “war on terror.” Israel has been at war against Hamas terrorists since that group’s invasion on Oct. 7, 2023.
Faith Foundation of America
He also reflected on the importance of faith in the United States, saying the nation was “built and sustained by Americans of faith.”
“It was faith that led the pilgrims to cross an ocean and settle this majestic continent. It was belief in our Creator that led the patriots to defend their liberties in the War for Independence,” he said.
Then, “faith in America’s God-given destiny” inspired pioneers to journey to the West, he said.
“And it was trusting God that led generations of American believers to end slavery, defeat fascism and communism, and make this into the greatest and most exceptional nation in the history of the world,” the former president said.
However, he believes the nation “has lost its way,” and he resolves that, if reelected, he will set America back on the right track.
‘Common Sense’ Needed
Former President Trump vowed to “restore common sense to Washington, D.C.” That includes halting policies that would “let men into women’s and girls’ locker rooms,” and keeping men out of women’s sports.
The former president pledges to stand up for parental rights and oppose policies that allow minors “to change their gender without parental consent.”
The 45th president reminded people that, if he becomes the 47th president, he would sign an executive order to “cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content onto the lives of our children.”
That promise, which he has repeated often throughout the 2024 campaign, drew a sustained round of applause and chants of “Save Our Kids!”
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Former President Trump’s speech to the Christian group was followed by remarks at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville on Saturday.
He also made an appearance at a campaign stop in St. Cloud, Minnesota, with his running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio).
On July 30, Mr. Vance is scheduled for two rallies in Nevada—Henderson and Reno.
The former president will hold a solo rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on July 31, while Mr. Vance heads to Glendale, Arizona.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.