Podcast Summary: "Plot Twist: Christian Persecution from the Trump Administration?"

The Tim & April Show (The New Evangelicals) — Episode 65

Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: Tim Whitaker & April Ajoy

Episode Overview

This episode tackles the unexpected rise in Christian persecution—not from left-leaning secularism, but from within a Trump-led, Christian nationalist sphere. Tim and April analyze how right-wing policies, especially those targeting immigrants and religious minorities, undermine the very Christians who were taught to fear such persecution from outsiders. The episode also critically examines Trump's connection to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, media hypocrisy, and the resistance efforts of progressive Christian communities. Lighter fare includes a "Weird Christian Bleep" segment that pokes fun at strange religious social media content.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Current Events & Setting the Stage

• Live Show Banter: Tim and April joke about podcast logistics and share personal anecdotes about their chaotic schedules.
• Shifted Broadcast Schedule: Upcoming broadcasts are adjusted for Thanksgiving, with a lighter, fun prerecorded episode planned. (07:34)

2. Polls & Media Hypocrisy

[09:24]

• Trump’s Plummeting Approval: Fox News poll shows Trump at a second-term low approval (41%), with high disapproval on economy, foreign policy, tariffs, and healthcare—even among right-leaning respondents.
• Fox News Spin: Hosts play a Fox & Friends clip, highlighting conservative pundits' attempts to minimize bad economic news for Trump.
• Media Double Standards: Tim and April contrast Trump's supporters' defenses with the criticism faced by previous administrations for similar or lesser issues.

Notable Quote:

"These people made Obama ordering Grey Poupon on a burger front-page news... and then when their messiah in chief is tanking the economy... it's only been nine months—give me a break!"
— Tim Whitaker [13:41]

3. Christian Persecution: Who’s Actually Under Threat?

[14:46]

• ICE Raids Targeting Churches & Clergy: Under Trump, ICE and law enforcement have begun arresting peaceful clergy and raiding churches, a scenario many conservative evangelicals once warned would happen under "anti-Christian" governments.
• Deafening Silence from the Right: The same Christian nationalists who decried mask mandates as persecution are silent when their own administration cracks down on Catholics, progressive Christians, and immigrants.
• Explicit Examples: Stories shared of local pastors in Chicago being detained, pepper bullets fired at peaceful clergy, and ICE raids on church properties even involving U.S. citizens and children.
• Racism & Hypocrisy: Tim and April note Christian nationalists only consider persecution a problem when it’s their own in-group; otherwise, they rationalize away clear human rights abuses.

Notable Quote:

"Christian nationalists do not care about other Christians outside of their bubble... If you're a Catholic, if you're progressive, you’re a heretic. These Christian nationalists have no problem stripping people—including clergy—of their First Amendment rights if it serves their interests of power and domination."
— Tim Whitaker [17:35]

4. Faith in Action: Progressive Christian Resistance

[40:46]

• Churches Become Resistance Training Centers: Inspired by New Testament ideals, churches in Charlotte and elsewhere are holding training sessions on how to peacefully intervene during ICE raids.
• Success Stories: “Sembra” volunteers and local communities prevent detentions and support immigrant neighbors.
• Gospel in Action: The hosts highlight how real acts of resistance reflect the teachings of Jesus far better than performative Christianity seen in MAGA circles.

Memorable Moment:

"That is how you church.... Like that's the whole purpose of the gospel that's become so weaponized. Like, it's supposed to be standing up for the marginalized and mobilizing, and it's like faith in action."
— April Ajoy [43:34]

5. Christian Nationalism, White Supremacy, and “Protecting Kids” — The Contradiction

[28:19]

• Selective Outrage & Racism: The Trump administration’s aggressive ICE actions disproportionately target immigrants of color, while white illegal immigrants go untouched.
• Xenophobia as Policy: The myth of “border security” is revealed as a propaganda tool to mask racist scapegoating and to consolidate power among white Christian nationalists.

"They want a largely white America, which is why they support this."
— Tim Whitaker [28:19]

6. Transgender Day of Remembrance & Bad Theology

[35:08], [37:45]

• Standing with the Oppressed: The hosts mark National Trans Day of Remembrance, call out Christian complicity in anti-LGBTQ violence, and read a powerful reflection from Dr. Billy Horde.
• Faith as Repentance: Tim and April describe their activism as an act of public repentance for their former participation in oppressive evangelical ideologies.

"My work now publicly is an act of repentance for trying to undo the harm that I am either knowingly or unknowingly caused."
— Tim Whitaker [36:06]

7. The Epstein Files & Trump’s (Non-) Response

[49:55], [54:45]

• Congressional Drama: Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson both tried to delay or water down the release of the Epstein files despite bipartisan momentum. Johnson is criticized for protecting Trump rather than championing transparency.
• Trump’s Unhinged Truth Social Statement: April does a dramatic reading of Trump's rambling, self-serving post upon signing the bill for file release (hilarious improv, worth a listen at [54:45]).
• Glaring MAGA Silence: Despite multiple mentions of Trump in released emails, no prominent MAGA figures or right-wing influencers question Trump’s involvement; defense mechanisms and hypocrisy are rampant.

"It's so wild to me that no one is looking at Trump, that MAGA is not even asking themselves, 'Could Trump be involved?'"
— April Ajoy [64:08]

8. The Media’s Response and Survivors’ Stories are Ignored

[75:35], [76:18]

• Minimization on the Right: Megyn Kelly is called out for defending Epstein as “not a pedophile” because he preferred 15-year-olds, with right-wing Christians (e.g., Allie Beth Stuckey) defending Kelly instead of condemning her rhetoric.
• Convenient Amnesia: The right was once obsessed with pedophilia as a Democratic scourge (Pizzagate, Wayfair), but is silent when credible evidence points at Trump or their own heroes.

9. Christian Nationalism’s Cover for Abuse

[81:22], [83:05]

• Patterns of Abuse Enabling: Tim and April detail how white evangelical churches have long protected abusers, carrying over that mentality to their support for Trump, regardless of mounting evidence of criminality or complicity.
• Untouchable Leaders: Trump, positioned as “God’s anointed,” receives the same protection from scrutiny or accountability as abusive religious authorities.

10. "Weird Christian Bleep” — Comic Relief

[88:22]

• Catfish Skulls and Jesus: April shares a viral video where a Christian claims catfish skulls prove the reality of Christ, much to their mutual amusement. The segment is used as a metaphor for how readily evangelicals believe conspiracy theories that support their worldview, yet ignore glaring evidence of corruption in their own in-group.

"They will believe a crucifix in a catfish skull... but won't believe the Epstein emails implicating Trump"
— Tim Whitaker [91:43]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "Christian nationalists believe if you’re not like them, you are not a true Christian… have no problem stripping clergy of their First Amendment rights if it serves their interests."
  — Tim Whitaker, [17:35]

• "If you are a follower of Jesus… it's clear that a lot of MAGA Christians would deport Jesus right out of America if he showed up.”
  — April Ajoy, [24:09]

• "Every accusation is a confession. The people who tell you to protect the kids actually do not want to protect kids when it comes down to it."
  — Tim Whitaker, [81:22]

• “No men in women's sports or transgender for everyone, ending DEI... creating the hottest country anywhere in the world..."
  (Excerpt from Trump’s unfiltered Truth Social)
  — April Ajoy’s Trump impression, [53:11-54:45]

• “That is how you church.”
  — April Ajoy, on progressive congregations intervening in ICE raids, [43:34]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [09:24] Poll results and Fox News response
• [14:46] Conservative Christians silent on ICE clergy arrests
• [17:35] How Christian nationalists justify persecution of “other Christians”
• [24:09] Jesus would be deported by today’s MAGA Christians
• [28:19] Racial bias in immigration enforcement
• [35:08] Trans Day of Remembrance and Christian complicity
• [40:46] Churches as centers of resistance to ICE (Rachel Maddow segment)
• [54:45] April’s comedic Trump Truth Social reading
• [75:35] Megyn Kelly downplays Epstein’s crimes, MAGA defense
• [81:22] Pattern of evangelical abuse protection
• [88:22] Weird Christian Bleep: Catfish skull “proves” Jesus

Memorable Moments

• April’s Trump Impression ([54:45]): A highlight for comedic relief.
• Rachel Maddow Segment ([40:46-43:34]): Spotlights real-life Christian resistance and what “church” can/should look like.
• "Weird Christian Bleep" Catfish Segment ([88:22]): Hilariously skewers the credulity of evangelical conspiracy-mongering.

Conclusion

Tim and April’s episode is a blend of sharp critique, activism, and humor. They expose the hypocrisy and dangers of Christian nationalism—especially in how it enables real abuses, shields powerful leaders from accountability, rationalizes racism and xenophobia, and distorts the message of Christianity. Grounded in personal stories and real-world organizing, the show offers hope through the genuine resistance work of progressive people of faith and the growing rejection of toxic, performative Christianity.

For Further Engagement

• Next live episode is Tuesday at 12:00 EST (pre-Thanksgiving special)
• Join/support The New Evangelicals
• Check out TNE Connect, the nonprofit’s online community for faith and justice
• Giving Tuesday campaign aims to raise $10,000 to support inclusive, justice-oriented Christian resources

For Listeners New to the Podcast:

This episode provides a window into the intersection of faith, justice, politics, and the movement to reclaim Christianity from toxic nationalism—delivered with candor, compassion, and plenty of laughs.