Trump, the New Apostolic Reformation & the Battle for the Midterms

Summary

In this episode of Reign of Error, host Sarah Posner speaks with Matthew D. Taylor, visiting scholar at Georgetown University and author of The Violent Take It by Force, about the growing influence of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and charismatic Christian nationalism within Trump’s political machine. The conversation traces how figures like Paula White, Lance Wallnau, and Ché Ahn are mobilizing spiritual warfare theology, modern-day prophecy, and dominionist ideas to energize evangelical voters ahead of the midterms. Taylor explains how the National Faith Advisory Board functions as a bridge between Trump and charismatic Christian leaders, advancing a vision in which apostles and prophets “disciple nations” by taking positions of political power. From election denialism to aggressive Christian Zionism and support for confrontation with Iran, this movement frames American politics as a literal battle against demonic forces.

The episode also examines how this rhetoric translates into concrete political strategy — from mobilizing swing-state revival tours to backing legislation like the SAVE Act and portraying immigration enforcement as a form of spiritual exorcism. Posner and Taylor unpack the theological logic that casts political opponents, immigrants, and protestors as agents of demonic power, a framework that undermines democratic pluralism and normalizes authoritarian tactics in the name of divine mandate. The show concludes with Posner’s “Anti-Doom” segment, highlighting acts of resistance — including whistleblower testimony exposing unconstitutional ICE training practices — as reminders that accountability and courage persist even amid escalating Christian nationalist activism.

Matthew D. Taylor is a visiting scholar at the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University. He is the author of Scripture People, The Violent Take It by Force, and the forthcoming book Defying Tyrants, which will be published in October. His work has appeared or been featured in the New York Times, Weekend Edition, On the Media, Rolling Stone, The Bulwark, Politico, Sojourners, and Religion News Service. A theologian and religious studies scholar who specializes in American Islam, Christian nationalism, and Christian extremism, he is also the creator of two limited podcast series–American Unexceptionalism and Charismatic Revival Fury. Taylor holds a PhD from Georgetown University and an MA from Fuller Theological Seminary.

• https://matthewdtaylor.substack.com/
• https://x.com/TaylorMatthewD
• https://bsky.app/profile/matthewdtaylor.bsky.social
• https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506497785/The-Violent-Take-It-by-Force

Additional Resources:

Matthew D. Taylor, The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy (Minneapolis: Broadleaf Books 2024)

Ariel Edwards-Levy and Jennifer Agiesta, “Trump’s approval rating with independents hits a new low ahead of the State of the Union,” CNN, February 23, 2026, https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/23/politics/trump-approval-rating-independents-cnn-poll

Nick Turse, “Kristi Noem Repeatedly Claimed ICE Deported a Cannibal. It Was ‘Completely Made Up’,” The Intercept, February 23, 2026, https://theintercept.com/2026/02/23/kristi-noem-ice-cannibal/

Dan Balz and Scott Clement, “60% disapprove of Trump ahead of State of the Union, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds,” Washington Post, February 22, 2026, https://wapo.st/4tQBNyk

Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll Feb. 12-17, 2026 (crosstabs) https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17c2tXnNkasvEwK2aW8yF2PizYJfge7UsZAA7-5FrV6k/edit?gid=0#gid=0

Melanie Lidman and Samy Magdy, “US says ambassador’s comments on Israel and the Middle East were taken out of context,” Associated Press, February 22, 2026, https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-war-news-02-22-2026-17cc3abc5002151a81b55cb6acd35463

Sam Mednick and Samy Magdy, “US ambassador causes uproar by claiming Israel has a right to much of the Middle East,” Associated Press, February 21, 2026, https://apnews.com/article/israel-ambassador-huckabee-middle-east-arab-muslim-e88a235c48bfb904f0ee7f8a72edf250

Benjamin Swasey, “A Republican plan to overhaul voting is back. Here's what's new in the bill,” NPR, February 19, 2026, https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5719252/trump-voting-save-america-act-explainer

Michael Waldman, “The SAVE Act and the Election Power Grab,” Brennan Center, February 10, 2026, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/save-act-and-election-power-grab

Kyle Mantyla, “'Pray For The Midterms': MAGA Cultist Lance Wallnau Warns The Election Could Be A 'Bloodbath',” Right Wing Watch, February 5, 2026, https://www.peoplefor.org/rightwingwatch/pray-midterms-maga-cultist-lance-wallnau-warns-election-could-be-bloodbath

David Nakamura and Sarah Blaskey, “Ex-ICE instructor testifies that agency slashed officer training, lied to Congress,” Washington Post, February 23, 2026, https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/02/23/former-ice-instructor-says-agency-slashed-training-new-officers/

Creator: Sarah Posner: https://www.sarahposner.com/

Producer and Engineer: Dr. Ger FitzGerald

Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi

Production Assistance: Kari Onishi

Generous funding provided by the Henry Luce Foundation.