Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Government Grants
When I first read about Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s intentions to cancel government grants that are specifically for black initiatives, particularly those for minority institutions, I immediately grasped not only the long-term effects but also the troubling silence of Black clergy with no exposing the unbiblical LGBTQ+ agenda and how it has hijacked true Affirmative Action.
Yet now, they call for Black America to rise up against Donald Trump for a host of reasons while they remained silent with Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris's anti-Jesus and anti-Holy agengas against biblical families.
As someone who spends large amounts of time absorbing information—perhaps too much—and analyzing its impact on the Black church, I feel compelled to address the cost of our ignorance and apathy.
To the religious crowd that may read this and respond with familiar Black church phrases like, “We are God’s people, and He will protect us,” or “The Lord is in control,” I concede that both are true. However, is there no sorrow over our silence and support of anti-biblical movements like transgenderism, gay marriage, and the progressive political agenda?
Many claim, “I serve Christ and don’t support everything they do!” But let’s be honest: every time you vote for someone who, as Scripture instructs us, should be rejected if they don’t uphold the doctrine of Jesus Christ, you empower policies that advocate for things like gay rights and abortion. You helped elect Barack Obama, a modern champion of those causes.
The Black Church’s Worship History
The Black church is much more than a place of worship. For centuries, it has been the bedrock of African American resilience, serving as a source of spiritual strength, social reform, and community activism.
The Civil Rights Movement had its roots in the Black church. Education and economic empowerment programs originated from church-led initiatives, and I am not one to condemn this. The Old Testament pleads for the cause of the poor, and Jesus Christ’s gospel is the ultimate message of equality.
So when I consider what could happen if government grants to institutions serving predominantly Black communities are cut, I’m not just thinking about churches—I’m thinking about the ripple effects on those whom the Word of God has reached as well.
Historically, the church has had a complicated relationship with government funding. In many cases, grants have provided much-needed support for initiatives such as food pantries, after-school programs, church security, and senior citizen services. These grants often supplement the tithes and offerings of congregants meant to keep the church operating.
In fairness, while Democrats have pushed forward programs benefiting minorities (though only marginally and certainly not long-term), Trump and Musk have taken the opposite approach.
The Trump Administration and Minority Government Grants
Donald Trump has branded government contract set-asides for minority businesses, hiring equality, and minority grants as discriminatory. As is becoming evident, national Black organizations remain silent because of their support for social lunacy—such as tampons in boys' bathrooms—over the last four years.
During his first presidency, Trump proposed budgets that impacted many social programs while providing tax cuts to most Americans. Unlike the narratives pushed by certain Black clerical interests, average wage earners did experience financial benefits—not just the wealthy. My family and I did, and we are far from rich.
One area where the Black church might feel the pinch is in programs aimed at addressing poverty and unemployment. Many churches rely on government grants to run job training and placement services, in addition to other social programs. If those funds become unavailable, our ability to support the poor and needy will be greatly diminished.
Please don’t misunderstand me—our mission is not to eliminate poverty. Jesus Himself said, “The poor you will always have with you, but Me you will not.”
When Black pastors rail against poverty and suggest that the government can and should end it, they are propagating an anti-biblical agenda. Among these misguided initiatives is the idea of giving 38 million Black people a large government check for slavery reparations.
Elon Musk and DOGE
Then there’s Elon Musk, who, as of the writing of this article, is worth more than $440 billion—twice as wealthy as his closest rival, Jeff Bezos. While Musk isn’t directly involved in writing government policy, his recent appointment as head of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) by Trump certainly gives him a voice in shaping it.
For African American churches, which often serve lower-income communities, policies created, written, and enforced by the ruling elite are a double-edged sword. Innovation funded by both government and private investments can bring opportunities, but it also bypasses communities that lack the infrastructure to participate.
Now that President Trump has ceased minority participation in government infrastructure investment (through set-asides), this gap will only grow.
How DOGE Affects the Black Community
The Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, will certainly affect the aspirations of the Black church and community. This doesn’t mean the church will be ineffective in its mission—God is still in control! However, it does mean that certain outreach programs will likely not be funded and therefore will not occur.
This begs the question of whether they should occur at all, as if the Lord wants them to move forward, what earthly power can prevent it? Still, I am aware that the Lord can provide. However, as we’ve seen over the last four years, the church has refused to be good stewards of the resources God has provided.
The Black Church Will Feel the Strain
The Black church will feel the strain in several ways:
Reduced Community Programs: Many churches operate food banks, homeless shelters, and educational programs that rely on supplemental funding from government grants. Without these funds, the church’s ability to serve its community will be significantly diminished.
Strained Resources: Tithes and offerings are already stretched thin in many congregations. If churches are forced to pick up the slack from reduced government support, the financial burden on congregants could grow. But again, if the Lord desires these programs to move forward, Trump or Musk cannot stop it.
Loss of Advocacy Power: The Black church has historically been a voice for justice and equity, but advocacy requires resources. Without adequate funding, the church’s ability to organize, educate, and advocate could be weakened. However, from a spiritual perspective, as long as one lives and there is a lost soul, our primary advocacy should be the preaching of the gospel!
The Church Is a Business
This is where we need to get creative, with the Lord’s guidance. The Bride of Christ in our communities has always been resourceful, and this moment is no different. There were times when we did not have the luxurious sanctuaries of today and instead worshiped wherever we gathered.
Here are some ideas that could help mitigate the impact:
Strengthen Partnerships: Churches can form alliances with nonprofits, businesses, and even other churches to pool resources and expand their reach. Collaboration is key, but those we partner with must share our Christ-driven worldview.
Invest in Self-Sufficiency: Tithes and offerings are how the Lord cares for His people, yet this does not negate what the Bible teaches about “the wealth of the wicked being stored up for the righteous.”
Leverage Technology: While traditional churches may resist, COVID-19 and the isolation we experienced have taught us that technology is essential for reaching the Lord’s people.
As I reflect on the potential impact of Trump’s policies and Musk’s influence, I am reminded that the resilience of the Black church is more crucial now than ever before. This is not the first time we have faced challenges, and it won’t be the last.
But what gives me hope is the church’s ability to adapt and persevere—even though many Black church leaders have remained silent in the lead-up to this moment which will cost us dearly.
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