Why Trump’s loss of evangelical support could cost him the election

Given president makes no effort to expand base of support, he needs those who turned out in 2016 to do so again, writes Andrew Buncombe

Both Trump and Jerry Falwell are in hot water (Getty)

One evening a long time ago, in what feels like a galaxy far away, Donald Trump was utterly charming.

Speaking to prospective voters in Davenport, Iowa, on a freezing night in January 2016, the presidential hopeful oozed warmth and humility, and even joked at his own expense. It may well have been because Trump knew just how important his appearance that night with evangelical leader Jerry Falwell would be in winning over social conservatives.

“I did pretty well in the Des Moines Register poll,” he said of the much-watched survey, that put him five points clear of his rivals. “It showed me ahead with evangelicals.”