“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” —Abraham Lincoln
In the months leading up to the 2024 Presidential election, I’ve watched numerous interviews with supporters of Donald Trump at his rallies and speeches. A common question posed to these supporters is whether they believe Trump is a man of character. The responses generally fall into a few distinct categories.
Some acknowledge Trump’s very public character flaws—such as cheating on his wives, his affairs with porn stars, his reputation for stiffing contractors, and his fraud convictions. However, they argue that while they do not condone these actions, they support his policies on immigration, border security, and abortion. For these voters, the ends justify the means. They believe Trump delivers the political results they want, so his character flaws are less important.
Others, particularly evangelical Christians, agree that Trump has significant character issues, but they point to the Old Testament, where God used flawed leaders to accomplish His will. They draw parallels between Trump and these biblical figures, arguing that God works through imperfect people to achieve divine purposes, even if the individuals themselves are far from virtuous.
Still, others deny Trump’s moral failures altogether, with some even believing he is divinely chosen to redeem the world. A few go as far as to claim he is the second coming of the Son of Man—a belief we’ll address shortly.
To determine whether a person has character, we can look at core traits that are widely recognized as indicators of moral and ethical integrity:
• Integrity: A foundation for trust and ethical behavior, involving honesty and transparency.
• Honesty: The willingness to tell the truth, even when it is difficult.
• Accountability: Taking responsibility for one’s actions and working to correct mistakes.
• Empathy: The ability to connect with others emotionally and respond with compassion.
• Humility: A willingness to learn from others and avoid arrogance.
• Courage: Acting ethically and standing up for what is right, even under pressure.
• Respectfulness: Valuing others and fostering positive relationships.
• Loyalty: Dedication to maintaining trust and reliability in relationships.
• Self-discipline: The ability to control one’s emotions and behaviors in line with their values and goals.
• Generosity, perseverance, and fairness are additional traits that define a person of strong character.
Donald Trump has been in the public eye for decades, and his moral and ethical shortcomings are well-documented. From his narcissistic tendencies to his dishonest business practices, Trump repeatedly demonstrates that he does not embody these traits of strong character. To suggest he is a man of character is inconsistent with the evidence.
For most voters in the U.S., character does seem to matter. Many polls and interviews suggest that people value integrity and ethics in leadership.
However, for those who believe character is irrelevant, the argument often comes down to either prioritizing political results over morality or believing that God is working through Trump to accomplish a higher purpose. While this belief might seem superficially plausible, it doesn’t hold up when examined closely.
It is true that the Old Testament depicts God using flawed leaders to carry out His will. These figures often had significant character flaws, but they were used to deliver God’s retribution or guide His people back to righteousness. However, we don’t live in the world of the Old Testament. Modern society rejects the brutality of those times and strives to embrace the New Testament message of love, peace, and compassion.
While some believe God continues to use flawed leaders today, there are many modern leaders who possess strong character and Christian morals. Why would God choose someone like Trump—who has shown little regard for Christian values—when there are better candidates who align with His teachings?
If you believe Trump is the second coming of Jesus, you must also believe that Jesus seeks to rule the world as a cruel, despotic king. This contradicts the teachings of Jesus, who was not interested in establishing a kingdom on earth but in guiding his followers to a new heavenly creation. Jesus made it clear that he was not the earthly king that the Old Testament Jews expected.
Democracy in the U.S. is at a critical juncture. The upcoming election will determine the future of the democratic experiment. Now, more than ever, we need leaders who possess the moral and ethical character to guide the country through these challenging times. Leaders of character inspire trust and confidence in their people. We should not settle for agents of chaos in the White House when what we need are agents of integrity.
Jim Powers write opinion articles. All views expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.
