Donald Trump thought he could gain some cheap political points by calling James Talarico an “insult to Jesus” because the Texas Democratic Senate candidate is “beyond woke” and believes that God doesn’t treat people differently based on their gender.
But Trump picked the wrong person.
Standing in a Black church in Texas, Talarico didn’t just respond with a sharp retort — he delivered a powerful moral challenge.
“The president of the United States just said that I insulted Jesus,” Talarico started.
“You want to know what insults Jesus? Kicking the sick off their health care while cutting taxes for billionaires.”
That was just the beginning.
“You know what insults Jesus?”
he continued. “Deporting the stranger and separating babies from their mothers.”
He then took aim at war, corruption, and hypocrisy.
“You know what insults Jesus?”
he asked. “Bombing innocent school children in Iran and sending our brave men and women off to die in another forever war… Covering up the Epstein files and then refusing to prosecute a single person in them.”
This wasn’t just another political attack.
It was a full-on moral judgment.
Talarico — who has been attacked by Trump for supporting transgender Americans and saying “trans children are God’s children” — completely turned the situation around.
Instead of backing down, he based his message on the very teachings that Trump tried to use against him.
“I am not a perfect Christian,” he said.
“There’s only been one perfect Christian and he was crucified on a cross 2,000 years ago.”
And then came the line that struck hardest: “Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves… Can we imagine war in heaven?
Can we imagine bigotry in heaven? Can we imagine poverty in heaven? Then why do we tolerate these things on earth?”
That’s how you respond.
Not with insults. Not with fear. But with clarity — and conviction.
Trump tried to smear him.
Instead, Talarico delivered a sermon that’s now echoing far beyond that church.
About the Author
