Jenna Ellis, a former lawyer for Donald Trump, has expressed concerns about the potential shift in support among conservative Christians, a key demographic for the MAGA movement. Ellis, who played a significant role in Trump’s legal team during the attempts to overturn the 2020 election, shared her fears with Politico that right-wing Christians may no longer be as enthusiastic about re-electing the former president.
Ellis’s Rise and Fall
Ellis, once a relatively unknown traffic court prosecutor from Weld, Colorado, gained national attention as a senior legal adviser to Trump. She became an outspoken figure in Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results, often framing it as a divine mission. However, her involvement led to legal troubles, and she recently pled guilty to criminal charges in Georgia for her role in the election interference scheme.
After being publicly distanced by Trump and facing criticism from his supporters for cooperating with prosecutors, Ellis shifted her political allegiance, endorsing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during the 2024 Republican primaries. Despite her support for DeSantis, she remains committed to the Republican cause, specifically opposing Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running as the Democratic presidential nominee.
Concerns About Christian Voter Turnout
Ellis pointed out that while Trump has been successful in attracting new voters, including increased support from traditionally Democratic groups like Black men, she is worried that key Christian voters in swing states may opt out of supporting Trump. “In 2016, judicial appointments were a major issue for Christian voters,” Ellis said, “and Trump needs to emphasize how extreme a Harris administration’s federal nominees could be.”
This fear stems from Harris’ campaign strategy, which has focused on positive themes of “vibes and joy” rather than diving into divisive policy issues. Ellis worries that this approach may prevent religious voters from seeing Harris as a significant threat, which could lead to a lower voter turnout in crucial states.
Shifting Evangelical and Latter-Day Saints Support
Trump’s political success has long depended on white evangelical Christians, who have been a solid voting bloc for him. However, there has been a growing movement within evangelical circles distancing themselves from Trump, which poses a challenge for his re-election efforts. Additionally, conservative Christian groups like the Latter-Day Saints have also become increasingly disillusioned with Trump, particularly in battleground states like Arizona and Nevada. Harris’ campaign has actively targeted these voters, seeking to capitalize on their discontent with the former president.
The Road Ahead for MAGA
The potential loss of support from religious voters could prove to be a significant hurdle for Trump’s re-election campaign. As Ellis warns, if right-wing Christians and conservatives abstain from voting in key districts, it could make the difference in a tight race. Whether Trump can win back their loyalty by emphasizing the stakes of a Harris administration remains to be seen.
