Amanda Marcotte of Salon recently drew a sharp comparison between Donald Trump’s economic policies and the “prosperity gospel,” a religious movement that promises wealth in exchange for financial sacrifices. She argues that Trump and his allies are using the same empty logic that prosperity preachers like Paula White have long relied on: promising future riches for present-day suffering.
At its core, prosperity gospel asks followers to donate money, often promising divine rewards — including wealth — in return. White, a close Trump ally, exemplifies this by urging followers to send her $133, claiming it will unlock “safety” and “ease” in their lives. Marcotte likens this to Trump’s trade wars, where his administration insists Americans must endure higher costs now to supposedly reap greater prosperity in the future. It’s the same deceitful pitch: sacrifice now for rewards that may never come.
Marcotte points out that Trump’s affinity for prosperity gospel preachers makes sense. His entire career, after all, is “built on scams.” From fraud lawsuits to shady business dealings, Trump has repeatedly shown a knack for exploiting people’s trust. Prosperity preachers, with their manipulative tactics, represent a style of grifting Trump knows all too well.
The comparison between Trump’s trade war justifications and prosperity gospel’s promises couldn’t be clearer. Trump’s tariffs are a tax on the American people, one that he claims will lead to economic growth, but economists warn that raising prices on everyday goods will only stifle the economy. Meanwhile, Trump’s allies in media and government, like Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Fox News hosts, are spreading the same hollow message: endure the pain now, and wealth will follow. It’s magical thinking at its finest — a lie that prosperity preachers and Trump have mastered.
Marcotte warns that this kind of thinking doesn’t hold up. Higher prices shrink consumer spending, and there’s no evidence that Trump’s tariffs will bring back the promised “manufacturing” boom. In reality, they’re causing more harm, and investors are pulling back, uncertain of the economic future.
Trump’s loyal base is used to such empty promises, and they’ve been conditioned to accept faith-based sacrifices, whether in religion or politics. But as younger generations increasingly turn away from the prosperity gospel and its false promises, Trump may find his audience less willing to buy into his economic fantasy. Voters are starting to realize they’ve been sold a bill of goods.
In the end, Marcotte makes a powerful point: Trump’s trade policies echo the same grift that prosperity preachers have used for years. Both rely on convincing people to sacrifice now in the hope of a better tomorrow — a tomorrow that never arrives.
