Is Donald Trump the Antichrist?

It is common for people to seek to demonize those with whom they disagree politically. Calling a person the Antichrist is essentially declaring him or her to be Satan incarnate. Some on the far right were, and still are, convinced that former President Barack Obama was or is the Antichrist. Those who disagree with the political views of President Donald Trump throw the Antichrist label at him as well. This political demonization is ridiculous, as the biblical indicators of who is the Antichrist have nothing to do with conservative or progressive politics.

Christians in the United States tend to forget that the end times revolve around the nation of Israel, not the United States. The Bible nowhere explicitly prophesies the existence of the United States or its role in the end times. While the United States might be a player in the end times or somehow be associated with the Antichrist, it is also possible that the United States will not even exist in the end times. The “Americanization” of Bible prophecy is unwarranted.

Distractions and misinformation aside, we still have the question—is it possible that Donald Trump is the Antichrist? There are a few things that argue against Donald Trump’s being the Antichrist. Bible prophecy experts still debate the ethnicity of the Antichrist. Some believe that the Antichrist will be of Jewish descent, as he would have to be a Jew in order for Jews to consider him the Messiah. Scripture seems to say that the Antichrist will come from a revived Roman Empire (the ten horns of the beast in Revelation 17:3), most likely associated with modern-day Europe. Donald Trump is not European (unless you consider the USA part of Europe in terms of biblical prophecy) and not ethnically or religiously Jewish. Also, Donald Trump claims to have faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior. While anyone can make such claims, it seems unlikely that the Antichrist would even pretend to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

There are a few characteristics the Bible ascribes to the Antichrist that are similar to traits possessed by Donald Trump. Donald Trump is undeniably charismatic, intelligent, and determined. Often, thousands of people attend events when Trump speaks. He’s never drawn a small crowd. Donald Trump has the ability to inspire millions. The Antichrist, who will be the leader of a one-world governmental system in the end times, would also have to possess charisma, intelligence, and determination. It will take such a person to deceive the entire world in the end times (2 Thessalonians 2:11).

Probably the most important factor in identifying the Antichrist is the relationship he has with the nation of Israel. The Bible teaches that the Antichrist will forge a 7-year peace covenant with Israel but then break the covenant after 3.5 years (Daniel 9:27). The Antichrist will then essentially attempt a second Holocaust, the annihilation of the nation of Israel and Jews around the world. Donald Trump has stated his strong support for the nation of Israel. Interestingly, Trump has described negotiating peace between Israel and the Palestinians as the “ultimate deal.” It is possible that some form of agreement between Israel and the Palestinians will be part of the end-times’ 7-year peace covenant.

So, is Donald Trump the Antichrist? While Trump does possess some traits that are similar to the Bible’s description of the Antichrist, the same could be said of many world leaders. Further, there are questions regarding whether it is possible that the Antichrist could be a Gentile or non-Semitic person. In our evaluation, it is highly unlikely that Donald Trump is the Antichrist. Ultimately, though, the answer to the question has to be “wait and see.” Insert any other name into that question, and the answer remains the same. Second Thessalonians 2:3 states that the Antichrist, “the man of lawlessness,” will be revealed when “the rebellion occurs”—it will be abundantly clear who he is when the time comes. Rather than speculating about various scenarios and demonizing people with whom we disagree, our responsibility is to be wise and discerning, based on what the Bible says about the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4; Revelation 13:1–4).