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The religious views ofDonald Trump, the 45th and 47thpresident of the United States, have been a matter for discussion among observers and the American public. Trump was raised in his Scottish-born mother'sPresbyterian faith, and publicly identified with it for most of his adult life, including duringhis 2016 presidential campaign.[1][2] However, in October 2020, Trump declared that he no longer identified asPresbyterian and now considered himself anondenominational Christian.[3] Despite this, through his personal relationships, especially those with his formative mentors, he has been identified with"positive thinking" andcharismatic Christianity.[4][5] He attendedMarble Collegiate Church underNorman Vincent Peale, whose emphasis on apositive mental attitude shaped Trump.
Many have questioned the depth of his religious affiliations. A survey duringTrump's first presidency (2017–2021) showed that 63% of Americans did not believe he was religious, despite his professed Christian affiliation, and that only 44% of Americans believed that Trump was aChristian.[6] Some of Trump's comments on theBible or Christian practice have led critical observers to suggest that his knowledge ofChristianity is superficial or erroneous, and few biographers have described Trump as deeply or even particularly religious.[7][8] He does not regularly attend church services.
Nevertheless, throughout his political career Trump has made appeals toconservative Christianity and theChristian right, particularlyevangelicals, and said in 2016 that he has "great relationships" withChristian ministers.[9] He has had a long association withPaula White-Cain, a charismatic minister whom he has called his "personal pastor" and whoseprosperity theology aligns with his outlook.[10] White delivered theinvocation prayer atTrump's first inauguration and joined theWhite House staff in 2019 to work on religious outreach issues.[11] The fusion of political Christianity with Trump's own views has been described as "Christian Trumpism". Despite his outreach to the above, Trump's staunchest Christian support would come from those who identified asPentecostal and charismatic, and is credited with mainstreaming their theology in politics,[12] having historically been alienated by the mainstream Christian right.
After 2020, Trump increasingly embracedChristian nationalism in rhetoric and imagery,selling Bibles, framing his campaigns asspiritual battles, and creating a federal task force on anti-Christian discrimination. While supporters highlight his alignment with evangelical causes, critics argue that Trump's faith functions more as a political tool than a deeply held spiritual commitment. Since 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed doubt if he will go toheaven.
Trump's parents,Fred andMary Anne Trump, were parishioners of theFirst Presbyterian Church in Jamaica,Queens.[13] It was in this church that Trump attendedSunday school and was confirmed into thePresbyterian Church (USA) in 1959. The choice of church appears to have been influenced by his mother's Scottish heritage; his father, who was of German descent, had been raisedLutheran. In the 1970s, Trump and his parents began attendingMarble Collegiate Church, at that time led by the well-known pastorNorman Vincent Peale, and he maintained ties to that congregation for much of the following 50 years.[1][14][2] Trump has cited Peale's philosophy ofPositive Thinking as a major influence and described him as a mentor, an assertion supported by biographers, if in a more general than strictly religious sense.[15] His first marriage, toIvana Zelníčková in 1977, took place at Marble Collegiate, and was officiated by Peale.[14] In 1988, Trump served as a co-host of Peale's 90th birthday celebrations, hosted at theWaldorf Astoria. Trump would go on to cite Peale's oratorical prowess and clarity of vision as influences.[16] Peale, in turn, described Trump as "one of America's top positive thinkers and doers" and predicted that he would be "the greatest builder of our time."[16] Trump's second marriage, toMarla Maples in 1993, was officiated by Arthur Caliandro, Peale's successor at Marble Collegiate.[17]
Trump was also a consistent viewer of televangelistsJimmy Swaggart,Billy Graham,David Jeremiah,[18] and singerBill Gaither,[19] watching the former three's televised sermons hourly, often into the late evening.[citation needed] After 2002, Paula White became a close confidante and unofficial pastor to Trump, his family, and his company, as he was interested in her pragmatic and informal approach to faith and devotion.[19][20] She would recommend books to, pray for him and his family, and counsel his children. Trump trusted White's judgement and discernment concerning the role of God in his personal life. This was because, while devoted to God, White was passionate and charismatic in her preaching, emphasizing purpose in life, overcoming demonic influences, and Christ as an individual who understood individuals' moral flaws.[20] Alongside White, Trump is inclined towards the cultural values of doctrines that are fundamental to Charismatic Christianity, which include prosperity theology,anti-intellectualism,Zionism, andmessianism.[21]
In 2015, Trump stated that his favorite book was theBible, but declined to offer his favorite verse, stating that it's "very personal".[22] In 2016, he said his favorite verse was "An Eye for an Eye".[23] In 2015, during the Family Leadership Summit,Frank Luntz asked Trump if he'd ever asked God for forgiveness; Trump responded, "I'm not sure I have. I just go and try to do a better job from there. I don't think so. I think if I do something wrong, I think I just try and make it right. I don't bring God into that picture. I don't."[24] In a January 2016 speech to evangelicals, Trump referred toSecond Corinthians as "Two Corinthians", while speaking at a Liberty University commencement, attracting much press attention and questions about his understanding of Scripture.[8]
He said in 2015 that he still attendedMarble Collegiate Church, a congregation of theReformed Church in America and theUnited Church of Christ; the church said in a statement to CNN that he "is not an active member"; Peale's son said that he had not seen Trump at the church for "several years".[2] He said that he was a Presbyterian and aProtestant in 2016.[25][9] In October 2020, however, in an interview with theReligion News Service, responding to a question on whether he considered himself an evangelical Christian, Trump stated that he no longer considered himself a Presbyterian and now identified as anon-denominational Christian.[26] Trump mentioned that he had spent the past few years getting to "visit some amazing churches and meet with great faith leaders from around the world", and in particular had "tuned into several virtual church services" during theCOVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that this had contributed to the change in his views.[26]
Most of Trump's biographers, along with other associates, have not described him as especially devout.Timothy O'Brien said that Trump "has never been a spiritually or religiously serious person".[7] Scott Black Johnston, senior pastor ofFifth Avenue Presbyterian Church inNew York City, described Trump as coming across as someone who had "not spent a lot of time exploring the faith", after meeting with him for a prayer meeting shortly after his victory in 2016.[17] Trump was not known to attend church regularly either before or after becoming president, but did attend holiday services at the Episcopal Church ofBethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, near hisMar-a-Lago residence, where he was married to his third wife,Melania Knauss, in 2005.[17] Terry Eastland of theWashington Examiner said that Trump was "not one to dig much beyond the surface of things religious, much less parse doctrine and guard the deposit of faith".[27] Even Trump's close associate Paula White said that it would be "futile" for Trump to try to publicly discuss his faith. An exception was the 2018 bookThe Faith of Donald J. Trump, co-authored byDavid Brody and Scott Lamb, a "spiritual biography" which sought to cast Trump as someone with a deeply, albeit "unarticulated", Christian worldview.[28] The book was widely derided by reviewers as "ridiculous", "mind-bending", and "Christianhomeopathy".[29][30]
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Although Trump's daughterIvanka Trump was raised as a Presbyterian,[31] sheconverted to Judaism in July 2009,[32][33] after studying with Elie Weinstock from theModern OrthodoxRamaz School, prior to her marriage toJared Kushner in a Jewish ceremony.[34] His daughter took theHebrew name "Yael" (Hebrew:יָעֵל,lit. ''mountain goat' oribex').[35]
Ivanka and her husband made apilgrimage to thegrave of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, a popular prayer site, shortly before Donald Trump's election victory.[32][36] In May 2017, the couple also accompanied Donald Trump on the latter's first official visit toIsrael as president. As part of the trip to Israel, Trump became the first incumbent U.S. president to visit theWestern Wall.[37]
In 2024, Trump began to sell special editions of theKing James Version of the Bible that contained copies of the founding documents of the United States, known as theGod Bless the U.S.A. Bible.[38][39] Trump has a personal collection of Bibles.[40]
Trump has woven Christian religious imagery into his2024 presidential campaign, characterizing it as a "righteous crusade" against "atheists,globalists and theMarxists". He stated that his aims included restoring the United States "asone nation under God with liberty and justice for all".[41] Trump has stated that the United States is a "nation of believers".[42] Trump's rallies take on the symbols, rhetoric and agenda ofChristian nationalism.[43] Trump maintains positive relations with theNew Apostolic Reformation, whose figures promote pro-Trump policies and are influential within the Trump administration.[44][45]
On January 21, 2025, theEpiscopal bishopMariann Budde addressed Trump during aninaugural prayer service, asking him to show mercy to immigrants, refugees, and theLGBTQ community.[46] After the service, Trump disparaged Budde as a "so-called Bishop" and a "radical Left hard line Trump hater",[47][48] and demanded an apology from Budde and the Episcopal Church.[49][50]
Following theattempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, in which he was shot in the ear, Trump stated: "God has now spared my life not once, but twice".[51]
Trump has been critical of thepersecution of Christians.[52] On February 6, following theNational Prayer Breakfast, he signed an executive order to create a task force to "immediately halt all forms of anti-Christian targeting and discrimination within the federal government, including at theDOJ, which was absolutely terrible, theIRS, theFBI — terrible — and other agencies".[53][54] Donald Trump appointed Attorney GeneralPam Bondi to lead the task force and appointedPaula White to direct theWhite House Faith Office.[52]
After posting anAI-generated image of himself aspope during the2025 papal conclave on his officialTruth Social account, Trump was criticized by many Catholics, including the New York State Catholic Conference andMatteo Renzi, formerPrime Minister of Italy.[55][56] After being asked about the criticism by a reporter, Trump responded, "The Catholics loved it," and claimed that he had nothing to do with the picture and did not know where it came from.[57][58]
Since the start of his second presidency, Trump has expressed skepticism if he will go toheaven. During negotiations to end theRusso-Ukrainian War in August 2025, Trump remarked that "I want to try and get to heaven, if possible. I'm hearing I'm not doing well. I am really at the bottom of the totem pole."[59] In a donation drive email from September, Trump asked for donations so he could "get to Heaven."[60] In October, Trump explained that going to heaven is "very important" to him.[61] During the enactment of theGaza peace plan days later, Trump stated that "I don't think there's anything going to get me in heaven."[62]
Trump's religious rhetoric has often been described as transactional, focusing more on reinforcing his image as a strong leader than on genuine spiritual beliefs.[63] Unlike past U.S. presidents who openly discussed their personal spiritual struggles, Trump has largely avoided theological discussions, instead emphasizing success, power, and dominance. His reluctance to discuss themes of humility, repentance, or service—central to Christianity—has led some critics to argue that his faith is more of a political tool than a guiding principle.[64]
His close association with leaders of theProsperity Gospel movement, such as the televangelistPaula White, further supports this perspective. The Prosperity Gospel equates wealth and success with divine favor, a message that aligns with Trump's self-presentation as a successful businessman and a strong leader. Many evangelical leaders, includingFranklin Graham andJerry Falwell Jr., have defended Trump's moral failings by arguing that God can use imperfect people for his purposes, a justification that blends religious faith with political pragmatism.[65]
he is a Presbyterian, and is not an active member of Marble
"Has Trump found religion in the Oval Office?" a headline asked. The answer from several of Trump's biographers was no. "Donald has never been a spiritually or religiously serious person," Timothy O'Brien, author of "TrumpNation: The Art of Being Donald," toldPolitico.
As you know, I am Presbyterian and Protestant. I've had great relationships and developed even greater relationships with ministers. We have tremendous support from the clergy.
And that's pretty sad, because we're Christians. I'm Protestant. I'm Presbyterian.
In the United States, the NAR has become a driver for pro-Trump, far-right policies that promote a Christian worldview in government.
Now that Trump has secured his victory, figures on the Christian far right whose prominence grew during Trump's 2016 presidency will enjoy larger followings and most importantly, close proximity to the highest office in the US. Among these figures are leaders in the New Apostolic Reformation, a movement which rejects secularism and embraces "Christian dominionism", the idea that Christians are tasked by God to rule over society and government.
