By Their Fruits, You Will Know Them
By DL White
The late Dr. Maya Angelou once forewarned, “When a person shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
In a time of true despair, as America enters the second week of a government shutdown precipitated by the GOP’s failure to offer a sincere compromise—and its refusal to acknowledge that there will be no cuts to Medicare and Medicaid—the Trump administration has somehow found twenty (20) billion dollars for Argentina.
This, of course, begs the question: How can America afford to give a foreign country money, yet not pay its own people?
Trump’s actions appear to be a cunning attempt to support Argentina’s dictator, Javier Milei, whom the people of Argentina rejected. Trump also cleared the way for Argentina to sell soybeans to China—despite American farmers’ anticipation of selling their $13 billion crop to that same market.
It should be noted that Trump pulled a similar tactic during his first occupation of the Oval Office. He purposely inflated tensions with China, opening the door for Russia to sell soybeans there, while simultaneously subsidizing American farmers. Shameful. Same old playbook—only this time, Argentina benefits while American farmers must literally sit on their crops.
Welcome to the era of Trump (45.47). So much for “America First.” This administration appears to care very little about the American people or American businesses, as Trump’s tariffs continue to drive up the price of goods entering the U.S.—by 15–25% in some cases.
If the government shutdown weren’t problem enough, the current occupant of the Oval Office is now attempting to paint himself as a saint? A prophet? Unbelievable.
Stretching the truth, and being morally and ethically challenged, are just a few of this administration’s many faults. Of greater concern, however, is the conservative religious right’s attempt to portray Trump as a prophet. This begs the question: A prophet for whom—or for what?
In some ultra-right circles, many have had the audacity to compare Trump to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In reality, Trump is the opposite—the complete opposite—of Dr. King. While Trump’s words spew hate and division, Dr. King spoke of nonviolence, peace, and even love for one’s enemies.
In recent years, certain evangelical and charismatic Christian groups have portrayed Trump as a prophetic or messianic figure, drawing from specific theological interpretations tied to the broader phenomenon of Christian nationalism.
Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians, in particular, view Trump as a “spiritual vessel,” emphasizing divine revelation and prophecy.
Then there’s the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), a segment of the charismatic movement whose adherents believe they are engaged in spiritual warfare to take control of society. Members of the NAR interpret events such as Trump’s 2024 election run and his survival of a shooting as divine intervention—perceiving him as a “warrior” chosen by God to combat “satanic forces.”
Paula White-Cain, a prosperity gospel televangelist who served as Trump’s spiritual advisor, helped bring many other charismatic leaders into Trump’s circle.
And on and on it goes—the “vessel theology,” which suggests that God uses imperfect or “flawed vessels” to achieve His purposes. This, of course, allows followers to overlook and dismiss the divisive and hateful things that so often spew from Trump’s mouth.
While attending services for Trump surrogate Charlie Kirk in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump declared during his remarks: “I hate my political enemies. I do not wish them well or want to see them do well.”
This, from a supposed prophet? One who speaks of hate, division, and disrespect for women and his fellow man?
Trump is far from a prophet. Correction—he could very well be a prophet for the other team: the one that sports horns, carries a pitchfork, and has a tail.
To the religious right and all those who seem to blindly follow Trump, I refer you to the Gospel of Matthew. Read it in the New King James Version, the original version, or any other credible Bible—it reads the same.
Matthew 7:15–20
From the first book of the New Testament, Matthew warns of false prophets:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”
Trump has demonstrated, time and time again, that he is just that—a ravenous wolf, biting and clawing at the very fabric of this country.
The scripture continues:
“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?”
Whatever Trump touches—and those who come into his orbit—become as he is: corrupt, diabolical, unethical, and immoral.
“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Again, if Trump touches it or gets close, those who once were perceived as moral become immoral, and ethics are kicked to the curb.
Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. From all indications—his first term (2016–2020) and certainly during this already tumultuous run—it has been a living nightmare.
Danny L. White currently lives in Phoenix, AZ. He is the author and creative lead for two books, the Sensational letter “S”, a children’s book focused on early reading comprehension and word development, and Discovering The Saunk in U, a celebration of youth conceived at the height of the pandemic. He is also an Adjunct faculty member at Maricopa College, and staff reporter for the Arizona Informant. He is an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, in the Phoenix, Arizona Area.
