Abstract
In the current US political climate, paranoia, pervasive and widespread, can serve as a politician’s greatest ally, a relationship exemplified by its continual display in Donald Trump and his followers. Indeed, stoking fear, conjuring crisis, and incorporating familiar biblical “bogeymen” tropes into the paranoid political conversation are textbook strategies in the current US political discourse, becoming increasingly influential, especially among its followers. This article explores the phenomenon of paranoia in the US political sphere vis-à-vis the Bible. Specifically, it examines the historical development of the Satan figure, which evolved from the general Hebrew term śāṭān to becoming the prince of darkness pulling the demonic strings of the world. In today’s US political landscape, extreme groups weaponize this concept, demonizing opponents to gain political advantage, a tactic predominantly employed by right-wing figures such as Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene. This article aims to shed light on how these individuals manipulate biblical narratives for political gain, urging attention to this perspective often overlooked in political analysis.
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