[prewett]

I think it's hard to argue Trump is going for church-state control, when he never goes to church, practices no Christian virtues, and only ever talks about himself. The guy never partners with anyone; there are just subordinate loyalists and everyone else. There's no way Trump will let anyone apart from himself be in control.

[k310]

I've said earlier: He has no philosophy, no beliefs, no religion. Only money counts, and power - power to garner more money and cover his crimes.

People believe in religion and various philosophical theories as an end. He uses them only as means. The believers do his heavy lifting and (surprise) everyone who is close to him or trusts him is betrayed in a matter of Scaramucci's.

He even betrayed his ... you know.

This is from (too) long observation.

[anigbrowl]

Trump keeps releigious people close to him, not so much for advice as for validation. I personally think the ones he aligns with are the most grifty ones, but YMMV. There's a much stronger more visible religiosity (performative or sincere) among his subordinates. A cync might look at this and conclude that since Trump won't be around forever his less charismatic underlings want a tried-and-tested social technology to keep the herd together.