Trump Tests the Limits of His Most Faithful Supporters
The president’s rhetoric on religion, along with hard-line immigration policies and the U.S. war in Iran, has splintered a coalition of Christian voters who returned him to the White House.
President Donald J. Trump at the National Prayer Breakfast in February. Credit... Kenny Holston/The New York Times
Katie Rogers is a White House correspondent. She reported from Washington.
On the morning of April 7, President Trump began his day by threatening to destroy the entire civilization of Iran if the country did not agree to reopen a key oil route by that evening.
“God Bless the Great People of Iran!” Mr. Trump wrote , signing off on a threat that set off a global panic until he announced a cease-fire hours later.
As he waited for the Iranians to negotiate that afternoon, Mr. Trump took a seat behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office and folded his hands over the Bible, a book he has called his favorite, followed by “The Art of the Deal.” He looked into a waiting camera and began reading scripture from the Old Testament book of II Chronicles.
