Donald Trump speech at the Evangelical Liberty University

Donald Trump (America President)

Donald Trump's speech at the evangelical Liberty University was nothing short of extraordinary.

In parts genuinely inspirational. In parts outright bizarre.

For one thing he said 'Jerry' – in reference to the college's president Jerry Falwell Jnr – 18 times in 30 minutes and at one point seven times in six sentences.

This was more than Trump's typical disjointed and rambling style of speaking. This was a very deliberate ploy as part of a theme that permeated his commencement speech to graduates from the Virginia university – 'us and them'.

Some evangelicals love a victim mentality. They love being outsiders. And Trump played on those heartstrings to perfection.

'In my short time in Washington I've seen firsthand how the system is broken,' Trump said.

'Did we take risks? Did we dare to defy expectations? Did we challenge accepted wisdom and take on established systems?' he said, asking the 18,000 gathered to reflect on what their lives would look like, before adding: 'I think I did.'

With repeated references to 'entrenched interests', 'failed power structures', 'broken systems' and 'failed' government, he urged the students to relish criticism.

'Demand the best from yourself and be totally unafraid to challenge entrenched interests and failed power structures. Does that sound familiar by the way?,' he said in another reference to his own outsider credentials.

'The more people tell you it's not possible, that it can't be done, the more you should be absolutely determined to prove them wrong. Treat the word "impossible" as nothing more than motivation.

'Relish the opportunity to be an outsider. Embrace that label — being an outsider is fine, embrace the label — because it's the outsiders who change the world and who make a real and lasting difference. The more that a broken system tells you that you're wrong, the more certain you should be that you must keep pushing ahead, you must keep pushing forward.'

It is clear that Trump himself relishes his image as an outsider. By reinforcing its depiction as as a strength, he underpins his own image among white evangelicals as their president – an almost messianic figure sent to preach the gospel of guns and savage healthcare to the heathens of the political elite.

He was introduced as 'the President who bombs the Middle East' and Liberty hailed its messiah with a standing ovation.

But as well as preaching on the qualities of being an outsider, Trump went further to shore up his support among evangelicals, who he clearly sees as being critical to his presidency.

In a convenient re-writing of America's secular orgins, Trump fulfilled the Republican evangelical ideal of seeing America as founded on Christian ideals – a new Jerusalem.

'America has always been the land of dreams because America is a nation of true believers,' he told the packed stadium.

'When the pilgrims landed at Plymouth they prayed. When the founders wrote the Declaration of Independence, they invoked our creator four times, because in America we don't worship government ,we worship God,' he added in a soundbite from paradise for Jerry Falwell Jnr.

'That is why our elected officials put their hands on the Bible and say, "So help me God," as they take the oath of office. It is why our currency proudly declares, "In God we trust," and it's why we proudly proclaim that we are one nation under God every time we say the pledge of allegiance.

'The story of America is the story of an adventure that began with deep faith, big dreams and humble beginnings. That is also the story of Liberty University.'

If you are a politically conservative evangelical, it really doesn't get any better than this.

Except it does, if you come from Liberty University.

'Liberty University is a place where they really have true champions and you have a simple creed that you live by: to be, really, champions for Christ. Whether you're called to be a missionary overseas, to shepherd a church or to be a leader in your community, you are living witness of the gospel message of faith, hope and love. And I must tell you I am so proud as your President to have helped you along over the past short period of time,' he said.

'America is better when people put their faith into action. As long as I am your president, no one is ever going to stop you from practicing your faith or from preaching what's in your heart,' he vowed to swooning cheers.

This was a masterclass in winning the religious right.

With his religious liberty order, his Supreme Court choice of Judge Neil Gorsuch, his attempt to implement a Muslim ban and his vows to curtail LGBT freedoms, Trump has the evangelical vote locked down. And judging by his reception at Liberty, he's secured the support of another generation of true believers.