As he sat in a Manhattan courtroom a post on Donald Trump’s Truth Social account popped up containing what some say is an apparent comparison between the indicted ex-president and Jesus Christ.
“Received this morning—Beautiful, thank you!” the post begins, before adding a quote, apparently from a supporter, related to Easter.
“It’s ironic that Christ walked through His greatest persecution the very week they are trying to steal your property from you. But have you seen this verse…?”
It then quotes Psalm 109:3–8 of the New King James Version of the Bible:
“They have also surrounded me with words of hatred,
And fought against me without a cause.
In return for my love they are my accusers,
But I give myself to prayer.
Thus they have rewarded me evil for good,
And hatred for my love.
Set a wicked man over him,
And let an accuser stand at his right hand.
When he is judged, let him be found guilty,
And let his prayer become sin.
Let his days be few,
And let another take his office”
NBC News reports “Trump is not using his phone in the courtroom so it seems like a staffer posted it.”
That verse has also been used to attack President Joe Biden.
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) came under fire last year for using that verse against President Biden.
It also appears on bumper stickers and tee shirts: “Pray For Biden Psalms 109:8.”
Berkeley professor and former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich weighed in, writing, “Donald Trump is starting the week by comparing himself to Jesus. Whether he has an actually messiah complex or is just conning his supporters, he’s playing to a growing GOP faction that wants America to be white Christian Nationalist state, with Donald Trump as a divine ruler.”
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