Inside the Megachurch of Donald Trump

The Republican Party has long interwoven Christian themes in its political messaging, but this week’s GOP convention took it to a new level. Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum resembled a megachurch full of revivalists more than an arena of politicos.

Donald Trump, of course, was the divinely chosen figure, who just last weekend experienced a miracle when a shooter’s bullet grazed his ear. On Thursday night, the Republican Party’s savior gave a stem-winding sermon to his congregation, many with napkins taped to their ears in devotion, who responded with blessings and prayers. Praise be!

Photographer Ron Haviv captured it all for The New Republic. A slew of religious speakers referenced Trump’s “miraculous” survival, suggesting that it was all part of God’s plan, he said. “This makes a case of Trump as a deity; the party is made in his image,” he said. And after the divine intervention of last weekend, Trump’s devotees believe his second coming is assured. “They might have been hopeful before, but now they absolutely believe they are going to win.”

THE BEATITUDES

photograph of a woman praying while looking at Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention 2024

photograph of women praying while listenting to Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention 2024

A dress eaturing the assassination-attempt photo seen on a woman's dress at the Republican National Convention. — A dress featuring the assassination-attempt photograph worn by an attendee

THE CREED

A photograph of chair signs at the republican national convention that include the slogan make america wealthy again

A photograph of a tshirt that says everybody knows 2020 was stolen worn at the republication national convention

A giant screen displays the text Republicans are the party of oppoprtunity, liberty, and prosperity for all

THE EAR

a photograph of ear bandages worn by attendees at the Republican National Convention to express sympathy with Donald Trump

a photograph of a woman wearing an ear bandagesat the Republican National Convention to express sympathy with Donald Trump

THE DISCIPLES

A photograph of JD Vance and his wife on stage at the Republication National Convention — Senator J.D. Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president

A photograph of Tucker Carlson on stage at the Republication National Convention — Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson

A photograph of Texas Governor Greg Abbott on stage at the Republication National Convention — Texas Governor Greg Abbott

A photograph of Nikki Haley on four giant screens on the ceiling of the Republication National Convention — Nikki Haley, whom Trump defeated in the GOP primaries

A photograph of Mitch McConnell and his wife on the floor at the Republication National Convention — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

THE CONGREGATION

A photograph of attendees at the Republication National Convention

A photograph of an attendee laying in a pile of balloons at the Republication National Convention

A photograph of an attendee yelling at the Republication National Convention

A photograph of an attendee in costume at the Republication National Convention