Inside the Religious MAGA Sect Believing Democrats Are Demons

The Rise of "Flashpoint" and Spiritual Warfare Rhetoric

• 💡 A growing movement in the US believes a spiritual war is underway, with Donald Trump anointed by God to lead it.
• 🎯 The TV show "Flashpoint," featuring figures from the New Apostolic Reformation, blends political commentary with religious prophecy, framing Democrats and LGBTQ+ individuals as demonic and satanic.
• 🚀 This rhetoric gained significant traction, with the Victory Channel's viewership ballooning from 55,000 to 32 million views between September 2020 and January 2021.

Trump's Anointment and Evangelical Support

• 🔑 Donald Trump, initially struggling to connect with evangelical leaders, turned to spiritual advisor Paula White Kane, who introduced him to fringe evangelical figures.
• 📈 These figures, many from the New Apostolic Reformation, have since become prominent, with "Flashpoint" launching on Kenneth Copeland's Victory Channel.
• 🗣️ Many within this movement believe Trump was anointed by God to fight this spiritual war, despite his perceived personal flaws.

"Spiritual Warfare" and Real-World Consequences

• ⚔️ "Spiritual warfare," once a personal battle of faith, is now interpreted literally by the New Apostolic Reformation as an ongoing real-world battle against evil forces.
• ⚠️ This literal interpretation leads to the demonization of political opponents, LGBTQ+ individuals, and transgender people, creating an "othering" effect.
• 🗣️ Former members describe feeling suspicious of co-workers and friends, and experiencing a sense of fear and suspicion towards those outside their group.

The "Strike First" Mentality and Hypocrisy

• 💥 The rhetoric on "Flashpoint" includes calls to "strike first and start the war," which has been linked to real-world violence, such as the shooting of Charlie Kirk.
• 🎭 There's a perceived hypocrisy, with the movement accusing the left of demonizing them while simultaneously labeling Democrats as demonic and satanic.
• ❓ This movement exploits a sense of disenfranchisement with media and government, offering a community and perceived answers to those feeling lost or seeking purpose.

Examining the "Bad Boy Billionaire" Appeal

• 💰 Some followers see Trump not as a traditional Christian figure, but as a "bad boy billionaire" who aids Christianity by supporting policies like the IRS ruling on churches electioneering.
• 📉 The movement's narrative often includes themes of civilization collapse and civil war, amplified on platforms like TikTok.
• 🗣️ Despite the extreme rhetoric, many participants claim they wouldn't personally agree with demonizing Democrats but affiliate with the movement due to disenfranchisement and a desire for answers.