A sermon delivered inside a historic New York church has exploded far beyond its walls, after a reverend openly accused former President Donald Trump of rigging U.S. elections during a church service, which was language that immediately drew applause from congregants, viral attention online, and fierce debate across Reddit.
The video, now circulating widely on social media, shows Rev. Kevin Johnson of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York, delivering a pointed political comparison from the pulpit. In the clip, Johnson declares:
“I don’t doubt that Maduro is a criminal but so is Trump. I don’t doubt that Maduro rigged the elections, but so did Trump. I don’t doubt that Maduro weaponized the justice system but so has Trump.”
The remarks reference Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, who — amid heightened geopolitical tensions — was reportedly arrested by U.S. forces last week during a military operation, a development that has dominated political discourse in recent days. Johnson used that moment to draw a parallel he argued Americans should not ignore: that authoritarian abuses abroad should not distract from what he sees as democratic erosion at home.
The response from Redditors was divided.
Supporters praised Johnson for speaking plainly about power, accountability, and hypocrisy. One of the most upvoted reactions summed up that sentiment in stark terms:
“Every. Accusation. Is. A. Confession.”
Others were even more direct, framing the sermon as moral clarity rather than partisan provocation. “Preaching God’s truth. AMEN,” one commenter wrote, while another simply added, “Preached.”
Several users pointed out the long tradition of political engagement in Black churches, pushing back against claims that the sermon crossed an inappropriate line. One reply reminded critics that “the Black church could never afford not to consider politics,” noting that figures like Martin Luther King Jr. were pastors first and civil rights leaders second.
Another commenter framed the issue historically: “Jesus was crucified over politics. Christianity has always been political.”
Not everyone was convinced, though. Critics accused Johnson of spreading misinformation, particularly regarding Maduro, and argued that churches should not wade so explicitly into electoral politics.
“It’s disgustingly reckless to go on stage and spread misinformation to people like this,” one user wrote, questioning the accuracy of claims about Venezuela and warning against reducing complex geopolitical realities to sermon soundbites.
Others focused less on the facts and more on the venue. “Churches should not be discussing politics,” one commenter argued, echoing concerns about tax-exempt status and separation of church and state. Another warned bluntly: “Enjoy your visit from the IRS.”
Some users said they agreed with Johnson’s message but objected to hearing it from the pulpit. “I don’t love it from inside the pulpit,” one commenter wrote. “I just like when my politics and the word come separately.”
Maduro, Trump, and Competing Narratives
The sermon’s comparison between Trump and Maduro became the thread’s most contentious issue. While many agreed Maduro is widely viewed as an authoritarian figure guilty of silencing opponents and overseeing systemic corruption, others cautioned against accepting U.S. narratives uncritically.
One extended exchange debated whether American media coverage of Venezuela amounts to propaganda, with users arguing over sanctions, imperialism, and whether Maduro’s crimes justify foreign intervention at all.
At the same time, Trump’s role in U.S. election controversies resurfaced repeatedly. Multiple commenters pointed to the former president’s failed legal challenges, pressure on state officials, and the lack of evidence supporting claims of widespread voter fraud in 2020. As one user put it succinctly: “Trump did that,” referencing his recorded call urging Georgia officials to “find” votes.
What the thread ultimately revealed was less consensus than collision. For some, Rev. Johnson’s sermon was prophetic truth-telling. For others, it was inappropriate activism dressed as religion.
