A Surrendered Mind Stays Surrendered

The surrendered evangelical mind outlasts Donald—and the next one will be smarter.

Jun 15, 2026

Religion commands you not to think. Faith entails “The surrender of the mind,” as Christopher Hitchens called it. That surrender is a driving force behind MAGA and Trumpism.

Around 60 % of Trump’s supporters believe he is sent from god.

No further thinking is needed. Not about his numerous bankruptcies. Not about his failed vodka, airline, university, football team or multiple casinos. Not about his long record of not paying contractors.

All his other sinful behaviour can also be dismissed.

Because nobody loves the Bible more than he does, according to Donald himself, and that’s all you need to know.

If there is one thing religion has always been good at, then it is to take any doubt or independent thinking out of you.

Questions like “Can I be sure this is true?” or “What are the alternatives?” are forbidden territory for a surrendered mind. Hence, you don’t go there. Facts and evidence have no impact either because you are trained not to think in those terms. The same goes for facing inconsistencies like being pro-life and pro-death penalty.

Your convictions protect you from the “troublesome consequences of thought,” as Robert Cialdini writes in his book “Influence.”

Evangelicals are Trump’s useful tool, but he is also theirs.

The number of evangelicals in America is in steady decline. Nevertheless, the number will remain considerable for years to come. In 2024, evangelicals made up 23 % of the population, and 80 % of white evangelicals voted for Trump. Even if those numbers shrink by half, evangelicals can still decide elections.

Perhaps you think, “But there are many believers in America who are not MAGA?” Yes, there are. And probably because their belief allows them to ask questions and express doubt in a way evangelicalism doesn’t.

But let’s not forget: The majority of other non-black protestants and white Catholics also voted for Trump.

“I love the poorly educated,” he says. What he means is that he loves people who are easy to manipulate.

Taking all this together, it is no surprise that white evangelicals stand by Trump—no matter what.

What is a surprise is that other Americans don’t seem to understand how dangerous this is. Evangelicals are brushed aside as “crazy.” The problem is that they will continue to be crazy and believe without evidence after Trump is gone.

He didn’t make them believe in him. They were already predisposed to believe anyone who preaches what pleases them.

Evangelicals are Trump’s useful tool, but he is also theirs.

A surrendered mind doesn’t care what that tool looks like as long as it holds a Bible—upside down or not. And a surrendered mind stays surrendered. When its object of veneration vanishes, it will wait for the next one.

So, what if a new evangelical tool emerges after Donald has disappeared into oblivion at Mar-A-Lago? A Trump 2.0 who is even able to quote a Bible verse or two?

Not lackeys like Vance or Rubio, but a much smarter autocrat? Imagine a charismatic Trump figure with Xi’s intellect and the psychopathic coolness of Putin.

A surrendered mind stays surrendered. When its object of veneration vanishes, it will wait for the next one.

Such a Trump 2.0 will carry on the power grab, the corruption and the dismantling of democracy as Donald himself started. Trump 2.0 will just have more competent people to do the job for him. He (it will be a he) will set up a “board” and gain complete control over the media.

With the help of generous tech-billionaires, monitoring will be on a par with China. CCTVs with face recognition everywhere. A censored Internet. Apps not working. What you do on social media will be traced to make sure you don’t take part in any “unpatriotic activities.” If you do, some menacing men in black might knock on your door. People will disappear to unknown camps and prisons.

Unlike Donald and Vladimir, Trump 2.0 will not start any wars. He is too smart for that. Instead, he will pay autocrats around the world, influence elections, and do his best to make Latin America Uncle Sam’s backyard again.

Buying votes from marginalised people by handing out food stamps and paying for medical bills will be commonplace. If people don’t obey, their citizenship will be ripped up, and they will be “sent back to where they come from,” —even if that means Africa 300 years ago.

Trump 2.0 will never spend his nights ranting on social media, but rise early, sweat on the treadmill, eat his broccoli, and always look as groomed, sharp and rested as Macron does. He will, of course, make sure he can be president for life. And he will be about thirty years younger than Donald.

If you say this could never happen in America, then look at the havoc the original Trump has wreaked in 18 months. And Donald is impulsive, ignorant, and not very smart—in contrast to my imagined Trump 2.0.

Isn’t it time that “I am a Christian” is being met by a massive “So what?!”

By ignoring evangelicals, America remains at risk of becoming a complete and capable autocracy.

That risk could be severely minimised if Americans stopped treating religion with such reverence. Even in America, 30 % of the population nowadays does not have a religious affiliation. So, isn’t it time that “I am a Christian” is being met by a massive “So what?!” Especially when loving Jesus is your main qualification for the job as a leader?

Are Americans ready for that? If they are not, Europe and the rest of the world must brace itself for more Trumpism. The surrendered minds will not go away. They will be praying and waiting for the next Messiah.

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