David French examines how Donald Trump's recent social media post depicting himself as Jesus has ignited debate about evangelical support for the president. The image, showing Trump healing a sick man with worshipers looking on, drew criticism even from some MAGA supporters who called it blasphemous. French traces this phenomenon to years of Trump supporters comparing him to biblical figures, from the 'God Made Trump' video to pastor Paula White-Cain's Easter remarks.

French argues this pattern reveals a dangerous theological error: when religious leaders abandon their role as moral conscience and instead seek to curry favor with political power. He contrasts this with the biblical prophet Nathan's courageous confrontation of King David, noting how modern evangelical leaders like Franklin Graham have instead defended Trump's actions. The columnist warns that viewing a president as divinely appointed can lead to dangerous expansions of executive power and religious division.

French connects Trump's behavior to broader concerns about the erosion of constitutional checks and balances. He notes how Vice President JD Vance recently criticized Pope Leo XIV's peace appeals, stirring Catholic-Protestant tensions. The piece concludes that Trump's attacks on religious rivals and his sense of divine authority represent an abandonment of the founders' wisdom about constraining presidential power through both law and moral example.