Christian nationalist figures are reportedly portraying Vice President Kamala Harris as being influenced by a so-called “Jezebel spirit,” a term that is rooted in historical racism and misogyny, causing concern among both religious and political analysts.
This notion draws from the biblical account of Queen Jezebel, a malevolent character known for persecuting prophets who ultimately faced a gruesome demise. Historically, the label “Jezebel” has been used to depict Black women as overly sexual and untrustworthy, particularly during the era of slavery and throughout U.S. history.
The phrase “Jezebel spirit” carries ominous implications, implying that the individual is possessed by demonic influences in a broader conflict between good and evil. Researchers studying the January 6 insurrection warn that similar spiritual warfare language led many individuals to the Capitol on that day. According to Anthea Butler, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, this rhetoric paints Harris as a demonically possessed figure, leading followers to view her as antagonistic toward men and authority.
Harris, who identifies as a Christian and Baptist, is distorted through this lens, making it appear that she is not a true representative of Christian values. Such rhetoric disproportionately targets women, particularly those who are Black or multiracial, and signals that they are not suitable candidates for leadership positions.
The origin of the term can be traced back to the Old Testament, where Jezebel is depicted as a tyrannical queen who exerted power, persecuted true believers, and revered false deities. Eventually, her fate was sealed as she was thrown from a window and met a gruesome end at the hooves of horses before being consumed by dogs. Additionally, later biblical texts reintroduce a Jezebel figure associated with false prophecy and indulgence.
Historically, the “Jezebel” label has been weaponized against women in the U.S., especially Black women. During slavery, it served as a justification for horrific abuses faced by Black women and girls. Moreover, it has been employed to criticize various public figures, including former First Ladies Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, as well as to condemn social movements advocating for feminism, abortion rights, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Analyzing female political figures through the “Jezebel spirit” lens poses significant risks, according to Tamura Lomax, a religious studies expert at Michigan State University. She indicates that any woman asserting herself can be labeled as a Jezebel, making her a target for potential violence.
The term is being propagated by the New Apostolic Reformation, a decentralized but connected movement within charismatic Christianity, whose leaders assert that demonic forces play an active role in spiritual conflicts. In this context, the “Jezebel spirit” is viewed as a demonic presence influencing people’s behavior, which aligns with the movement’s teachings.
This language aims to energize Christians with apocalyptic leanings, framing political battles as critical struggles, as described by Matthew Taylor, an authority on the New Apostolic Reformation. He asserts that this rhetoric justifies a more aggressive stance among believers, contrasting the biblical call to love one’s enemies with the command to oppose demons.
On January 6, this intense discourse was evident as participants at the Capitol sought to engage in what they termed “spiritual warfare.” Participants invoked religious themes, including singing, praying, and using shofars, alluding to biblical traditions associated with battle and divine intervention. Taylor points out that in the aftermath, discussions surrounding spiritual warfare have surged within American political discourse.
Christian nationalism merges American and Christian identities, seeking to elevate Christianity’s role in public life. Influential figures within this movement, like Wallnau, who claims prophetic abilities and has a significant social media following, have publicly labeled Harris as influenced by the “Jezebel spirit.” This assertion reflects broader sentiments within the movement, describing her use of power in political spheres as manipulative or intimidating.
While Wallnau made attempts to clarify his statements regarding Harris, asserting she is not a demon but part of a larger demonic influence, these remarks continue to underscore the intersection of gender and political identity. In other political contests, such rhetoric has also spread; in Indiana, a Republican candidate likened the opposing party, led by women, to the “Jezebel spirit,” provoking controversy.
On October 12, an assembly at the National Mall demonstrated this activism, with leaders from the New Apostolic Reformation publicly declaring their belief that Trump could architectually dismantle Harris’ influence likened to the biblical figure who deposed Jezebel. As the political landscape evolves, such discourse around demonic influences will likely persist.
