Evangelical Leader Expresses Disapproval of Trump, Advocates for ‘Alternative Candidate’

In an unexpected move, a prominent conservative evangelical leader in Iowa recently criticized Donald Trump on social media. Bob Vander Plaats, the head of the conservative Family Leader organization, shared a controversial message from BlazeTV host Steve Deace, attacking Trump for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vander Plaats expressed his dissatisfaction with Trump, stating, “The facts aren’t aligning with the repetitive rhetoric. This is the #swamp.” He also shared a picture of himself with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is currently a strong contender for the Republican presidential nomination and second in the polls behind Trump.

This is not the first time Vander Plaats has spoken out against Trump. Earlier this year, he mentioned that Americans were tired of the former president’s focus on the past. He believes that the country is ready for a new generation leader with a compelling vision that can unite and benefit America.

Vander Plaats took to social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), to criticize Trump for his use of profanity and mocking people with disabilities. He also shared a poll indicating that nearly half of Trump voters were open to supporting someone else, suggesting that the real number is even higher. According to Vander Plaats, many Trump supporters still like him but doubt his ability to win the election.

While Vander Plaats has never officially endorsed Trump, he voted for him in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. He also wrote an op-ed on Trump’s behalf in 2020, according to CBS News. However, Vander Plaats has been increasingly critical of the former president and has shown support for other GOP contenders such as Vivek Ramaswamy.

Overall, Vander Plaats’ public criticism of Trump signifies a growing trend among conservative leaders questioning their support for the former president and seeking alternative candidates.