Keynote (60-90 minutes) Drawing on his book Makeshift Messiahs, Rev. Wilson traces how political leaders become religious figures who require worship rather than accountability—from Reagan to Trump to Charlie Kirk. This keynote exposes the machinery (media ecosystems, donor networks, religious infrastructure) that manufactures political saints and threatens both democracy and authentic faith. Essential for faith communities, academic institutions, and civic organizations wrestling with religion, power, and American democracy.