Why evangelicals voted for Donald Trump in 2016 so intensively? Evangelicals voted for Donald Trump in 2016 so intensely because of his promises to protect religious liberty and traditional values. Trump's promises to appoint conservative justices to the Supreme Court, defend the sanctity of life, and protect religious freedom resonated with evangelical voters. Additionally, many conservatives felt that Trump's rhetoric on immigration and foreign policy was more in line with their own views than those of his opponent, Hillary Clinton. Trump also had the support of many prominent conservative Christian leaders, including Jerry Falwell Jr., which helped to further galvanize evangelical voters.