In a modern democracy, one would think people would vote with logic and long-term vision. But that was not the case with the 2024 U.S. Presidential election. America didn’t just cast a vote for political change, they made a choice echoing ancient stories of betrayal and manipulation.
They chose figures that embody the darkest sides of power: those whose actions and rhetoric have poisoned the public discourse with lies, misogyny, and racism.
Just like the biblical mob who demanded the release of Barabbas, America seems to have traded truth and morality for a dose of populism fueled by hate.
And who better to play the roles of Barabbas and Judas Iscariot than Donald Trump and JD Vance?
Leading a movement of lies, hypocrisy, and betrayal, their actions, rhetoric, and lack of substance profoundly threaten American values and stability.
By people elevating Donald Trump and JD Vance, figures embodying lies, misogyny, and hypocrisy, the nation risks repeating past mistakes while undermining the very principles it was built upon.
Donald Trump: The Barabbas of Modern America
He says he “loves the Bible,” but I doubt he knows what’s in it. He probably does not know the parable of the rich man who went to hell either. He says he’s a Christian but it is evident that he is not and that his love is for himself.
In the New Testament, Barabbas was a convicted criminal chosen for release to appease a frenzied crowd, symbolizing the preference for rebellion over truth and justice.
Fast forward to 2024, and we see this narrative replayed through Donald Trump—a convicted felon who has repeatedly shown contempt for truth and accountability.
with a career built on deceit and an alarming absence of accountability.
Fact-checkers estimate that Trump told over 30,000 lies during his presidency alone (The Washington Post, 2021).
He’s become notorious for spouting misinformation almost every time he speaks, offering a steady stream of untruths that range from bizarre to blatantly offensive.
It seems that lying isn’t just a habit for Trump; it’s a strategy.
Throughout his campaign, he sidestepped policy almost entirely, focusing instead on bizarre, unrelated topics, from Hannibal Lecter to Arnold Palmer’s anatomy and his “beautiful white skin.” (It’s so beautiful he has to camouflage it with makeup). This was more than political theater; it was a strategy to distract from his lack of policy ideas and avoid scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Kamala Harris, a serious candidate with a clear policy platform, was held to a much higher standard.
Her plans and qualifications were constantly questioned, while Trump skated by with little more than his showmanship and a stream of outrageous statements.
This double standard reflects a troubling trend in American politics, where some candidates are given a “free pass” simply by virtue of their celebrity or willingness to embrace the absurd.
Trump’s lack of policies would have disqualified most candidates, but he was treated as an exception, and his supporters embraced his rhetoric without requiring any depth or substance.
This approach has enabled Trump to capitalize on superficial image over substance for years.
His “successful businessman” persona, fostered through The Apprentice, has been debunked by his failed ventures and mounting legal issues.
with a career built on deceit and an alarming absence of accountability
His image, carefully curated over decades, has convinced millions that he’s a savvy leader when in reality, he’s left a trail of bankruptcies and legal battles, while building a career on deceit and an alarming absence of accountability.
Yet his followers cling to the fantasy, overlooking the staggering reality of his missteps and criminal convictions (Forbes, 2023).
The Immigrant Hypocrisy
Trump’s supporters, encouraged by his scapegoating rhetoric, continue to rally against immigrants, blaming them for crimes and social issues that Trump himself is often guilty of.
Although statistics show that crime rates are generally lower among immigrants than native-born citizens (Cato Institute, 2023), Trump deflects attention from his own crimes by placing blame on others.
The irony is rich: here’s a convicted felon pointing fingers at immigrants while excusing or ignoring his own misdeeds, perpetuating a narrative that plays to xenophobic fears and diverts from America’s real challenges.
JD Vance: Judas Iscariot in the Flesh
JD Vance, the newly elected Vice President, from Ohio is the modern-day Judas Iscariot.
Vance, who once portrayed himself as a voice for the working class, has since betrayed his origins in pursuit of political power and personal gain.
His transformation into a mouthpiece for far-right ideologies echoes the actions of Judas, who, driven by greed and ambition, sold out his principles and his people for 30 pieces of silver.
Vance’s rise in politics has been fueled by the very rhetoric that seeks to divide—misogyny, racism, and an unapologetic embrace of hatred disguised as patriotism.
His outspoken views on women and minorities, his willingness to stand by the divisive Trump agenda, and his calculated, often insincere, political moves paint him as someone who, much like Judas, is more concerned with his own advancement than the well-being of the people he claims to represent.
JD Vance’s attacks on marginalized groups, his embrace of Trump’s divisive policies, and his opportunistic rhetoric show that his loyalty lies not with the truth, but with the pursuit of power, no matter the cost.
Vance has peddled lies, such as the false claim that Haitian immigrants were eating “cats and dogs” in the streets, stoking fear and racial animosity to serve his own ambitions (NBC News, 2023).
His words, like those of Judas, have helped to perpetuate a toxic environment where lies and hate can flourish unchecked.
Like Judas, Vance traded integrity for influence, betraying his earlier values and aligning with Trump’s divisive agenda.
His political transformation has seen him abandon values related to being a voice for the working class, aligning instead with an agenda that prioritizes division and misinformation over truth.
Vance’s betrayal is especially tragic because he once represented the very people Trump’s policies hurt most.
Project 2025: A Dystopian Vision Under Trump’s Leadership
One of the most concerning aspects of Trump’s possible leadership lies in Project 2025, a policy blueprint designed by conservative groups to radically reshape the American government.
Under this plan, Trump and his allies could dismantle key democratic institutions and centralize power within the executive branch.
Project 2025 envisions purging federal employees who aren’t “loyal” to Trump’s ideology, reducing regulatory safeguards, and gutting departments tasked with protecting civil rights, environmental standards, and public health (The Atlantic, 2024).
For Trump’s supporters, Project 2025 is framed as “draining the swamp,” but in reality, it’s an unprecedented power grab that could erode the checks and balances essential to democracy.
Imagine a United States where dissenting voices are suppressed, and government agencies act solely in the interests of those loyal to the president rather than the public.
Under Trump, Project 2025 could undermine democratic governance, stifling the very freedoms the founding fathers sought to protect.
The Blind Devotion of Trump’s Followers
Trump’s followers, largely uncritical and willing to parrot his talking points, embody a dangerous trend.
They base their beliefs not on facts or evidence but on feelings and personal biases. This loyalty isn’t driven by policy but by a cult of personality.
Trump’s supporters dismiss evidence and cling to conspiracy theories, reducing complex issues to simplistic, emotionally charged soundbites. Rather than challenge or scrutinize Trump’s words, they echo his rhetoric, often resorting to misinformation and outright falsehoods.
This lack of critical thinking signifies a shift away from the founding ideals of debate, inquiry, and truth.
The founding fathers valued reason, individual responsibility, and a government accountable to the people. Trump’s base, by contrast, seems to accept his statements as absolute truths, forsaking America’s tradition of questioning authority.
When Americans choose leaders who dismiss facts, embrace scapegoating, and ignore democratic norms, they set aside the principles of inquiry and accountability that once defined the nation.
A Betrayal of Founding Values
The founding fathers envisioned a nation built on liberty, justice, and truth.
Figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson advocated for leaders who would serve the public good, uphold democratic norms, and respect the rule of law.
By choosing Trump—a man who flouts these values and actively sows division—the nation has forsaken the foundational principles upon which it was built.
Trump’s election represents more than a mere political choice; it’s a departure from ideals of reason and justice. His administration would prioritize loyalty over competency, rage over reason, and personal allegiance over public accountability.
This vision is antithetical to the democratic spirit America was founded on, signaling a betrayal of core values that could have lasting repercussions for generations.
The Consequences of Our Choices
America, in its frustration, has found itself at a crossroads, choosing leaders who represent a betrayal of its better ideals. Like the mob in the Bible, they’ve been tempted by the promise of radical change without considering the consequences.
Trump and Vance’s lies, their misogynistic and racist views, and their disregard for truth have given them power, but at what cost?
In choosing Barabbas and Judas, they have embraced a path that undermines the values of justice, equality, and respect. And the consequences of this betrayal will likely be felt for generations to come, as the nation grapples with the fallout from its toxic leadership.
The Road Ahead: Reclaiming Truth and Unity
As America contemplates its future, the narratives of Barabbas and Judas serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of placing power in the hands of those who thrive on deception and betrayal.
Barabbas, a criminal freed by a crowd that rejected the truth for a familiar face, and Judas, a once-loyal follower who betrayed his principles for personal gain, are symbols of humanity’s recurring struggle with moral compromise.
These stories, though ancient, carry a relevance today that can’t be ignored. They remind us of the cost when societies exchange truth for convenience and sacrifice integrity for the promise of fleeting power.
When a nation chooses leaders like Donald Trump—who, like Barabbas, is chosen for his charisma rather than his values—it risks surrendering to forces that undermine the common good.
Trump’s appeal lies not in his policies or accomplishments but in his ability to stoke emotion, to create a sense of belonging for his supporters by validating their grievances and suspicions.
However, this bond is shallow, for it is built not on shared principles but on division, resentment, and scapegoating. The price of this loyalty is high: a weakening of truth and a decay of societal values.
The story of Judas speaks to a similar theme.
Judas was close to truth and honor, yet in a moment of self-interest, he betrayed the very ideals he once stood beside. JD Vance, like Judas, began as someone who claimed to champion truth and compassion for America’s working class.
However, his path diverged as he prioritized personal ambition, endorsing Trump and echoing his divisive rhetoric. This betrayal goes beyond personal ambition; it represents a disturbing willingness to forsake facts and integrity to climb the political ladder, a move that erodes public trust and signals a dangerous precedent where leaders can deceive without consequence.
The impact of choosing leaders like Trump and Vance reverberates beyond their immediate actions.
When the public accepts lies and embraces leaders who are cavalier with the truth, it emboldens others to do the same.
Honesty, justice, and integrity (the bedrock values the founding fathers enshrined), start to feel obsolete in a society where deception is tolerated but celebrated.
The founding fathers envisioned a democracy grounded in responsibility, reason, and the pursuit of the common good. But these values have been easily traded for spectacle and self-interest.
If the nation is to reclaim its foundation of truth and unity, it must reject leaders who embody the worst instincts of Barabbas and Judas Iscariot.
America’s greatness lies not in the might of its leaders but in the strength of its principles. It lies in the commitment of its people to uphold the truth, to engage in meaningful discourse, and to hold leaders accountable to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
Leaders who thrive on deception and division will continue to rise as long as people are willing to embrace their message without question.
The 2024 U.S. presidential election results have made it clear that values of unity, respect, and the welfare of all citizens are under threat. The divisions threaten to tear it apart nullifying the spirit of unity and truth that once set it apart as a beacon of democracy and justice.
It does not seem like America is headed toward a future of healing, unity, and truth any time soon, but rather a precipice of a much darker age of division and deceit.