Michael Tait, the Christian music legend whose hit song “God’s Not Dead (Like a Lion)” became a symbolic tune for Donald Trump’s MAGA movement, has been accused of sexually assaulting three men, according to a months-long investigation by The Guardian.

Additionally, four other men have made similar claims that Tait, a founding member of DC Talk and later a frontman for Newsboys, engaged in inappropriate behavior, unwanted touching and acts of sexual aggression. Tait posted a “confession” on social media in which he “disputes some details” but conceded the substance of the scurrilous allegations and drug use contained in the report were “largely true.”

Such sordid revelations against entertainers are hardly unusual. Louis C. K., Sean Combs, Russell Brand, Bill Cosby, and others spring to mind. The difference is Tait had unabashedly aligned himself with conservative politicians and activists over the years. You know, the people who denounce such sinful and vile acts as unworthy of God.

Back in 2019, Tait joined other well-known evangelical figures in signing an authored letter denouncing an op-ed in Christianity Today magazine that advocated for then President Trump’s impeachment. Down the road, he stood on-stage next to Trump at a rally encouraging evangelical support. Eventually, Tait posted a video last year attempting to persuade his supporters to vote for Trump.

Recent charges about Tait’s behavior dramatically conflict with the highly austere, sanitized public persona he stealthily and shrewdly cultivated for decades. Tait has sold more than 18 million albums, with songs encouraging young Christians to refrain from drugs, alcohol, and sex and to embrace heterosexual norms. The reality appears to be that, according to people that various news sources interviewed, Tait’s alleged drug use and wayward and untoward behavior were the “biggest open secret in Christian music.” Go figure.

A majority of the more than two dozen individuals in the Christian music industry interviewed by The Guardian said they had been aware of rumors Tait engaged in abusive behavior Each of these young men grew up in evangelical churches where Tait’s music was central in their youth groups, summer camps, and mission trips. Having taken Tait’s message as gospel, they were naive about sex and drugs throughout their youth. As can be imagined, these youth were mesmerized when they eventually met their childhood idol but rapidly saw their image of him disintegrate as he led them on a sordid and harrowing journey of musical deviance.

Young and occasionally gullible male musicians say Tait supposedly targeted them by dangling the possibility of career or other lucrative options, then abruptly ceased all contact once it was evident they would not offer him sexual favors. Several of his victims recited that Tait would allegedly invite them to parties at his house in Nashville, encouraging them to drink alcohol and partake in drugs before making sexual advances.

A larger question to consider from this unfortunate drama is why a person like Tait would find themselves so comfortably at home in and pledge allegiance to a movement such as Christian nationalism that tends to deride, degrade, denigrate, and disparage many things he represents.

Christian nationalism is not an ideology where an individual’s belief system defines their political values. Human beings can certainly hold divergent opinions as they relate to arguments around racial politics, immigration, religious freedom, reproductive rights, or any other issue of political conflict. Christians routinely spar among one another on such issues. Debate and diversity of viewpoints are often beneficial to both the debaters and the larger society. What distinguishes Christian nationalism is not religious participation in politics, but the myopic perception that Christian primacy and theology must saturate virtually every aspect of our society.

The movement ties to a visceral sense the church’s well-being and survival depend on the outcome of any given political race. Christian nationalism’s supporters have little if any compunction about attempting to impose their personal value system upon others. Such beliefs often manifest themselves through linear ideology, a specific identity, and unbridled passion.

Regardless of why Tait aligned himself with a reductive, reactionary movement, he now finds himself in the middle of a tawdry, high-profile saga. Perhaps such a trying moment will enable him to engage in deep rumination and self-reflection, as well as confront his private demons that have been publicly exposed to the larger world. May God be with him at this most challenging time.

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Copyright 2025 Elwood Watson, distributed by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate

Elwood Watson is a professor of history, Black studies, and gender and sexuality studies at East Tennessee State University. He is also an author and public speaker.