White Evangelicalism Enters DeSantis Season

The Christian Right turns to Florida's governor to accomplish what Trump never could.

In a recent campaign speech, Florida Man Prime Ron DeSantis explained his theory on why people move to his state thusly: “The woke agenda has caused millions of Americans to leave these jurisdictions for greener pastures. Now this great exodus of Americans, for these folks, Florida, for so many of them, has served as the promised land.”

I have no idea if this suspiciously messianic theory is true or not, but I do think a version of it is true for the evangelical voting bloc. But instead of fleeing the woke agenda, they’re fleeing Trumpism’s White water raft for the relative calm of the Good Ship DeSantis. Just look how many evangelical MAGA guys went finger-wagging-schoolmarm on Trump for daring to slur the Florida governor as “DeSanctimonious.” We can excuse racism, but we draw the line at DeSantis slander! apparently. You get the sense that the Religious Right sees Trump as either a useful idiot who has served his purpose or an aging ace who’s lost his fastball. I wouldn’t be so fast to count Trump out, personally, but don’t be surprised if a non-negligible chunk of White Evangelicals join DeSantis’ great exodus to the promised land.