During the 74th National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C., Donald Trump made comments that have drawn significant attention. Speaking before an audience of about 3,500 politicians, religious leaders, and faith-based figures at the Washington Hilton, Trump reflected on an endorsement he received nearly a decade ago from radio host and pastor Robert Jeffress.
Trump recounted, “I know every candidate very well, and I know Trump a little bit. He may not be as good with the Bible as some of them. He may not have read the Bible as much as some of them. In fact, he may not have ever read the Bible, but he will be a much stronger messenger for us.” Trump added, “And, you know, I didn’t want to admit anything, but that was very interesting,” hinting at some truth in the pastor’s original words.
These remarks highlight the deep support Trump has consistently received from evangelical Christians throughout all three of his presidential campaigns. In 2024, he secured the backing of roughly 8 in 10 white evangelical voters, according to the Associated Press. Polls show that this voter bloc has remained loyal even as support from other demographics has declined due to factors such as trade policies, immigration enforcement, and controversies surrounding the handling of Jeffrey Epstein documents. For instance, Trump has recently faced backlash for a sexist rant and his plans for a third term, which many see as attempts to consolidate his base.
On social media platform X, many users interpreted Trump’s comments as evidence that evangelicals prioritize political alignment over personal faith. One commenter wrote, “I think this exposes that most evangelicals knew he wasn’t a Christian, but they still label him as one to further their own agenda.” Another added, “Evangelical leadership knew exactly what they had it was a Faustian deal.” Several recent events, including his claims about Putin and his dismissal of critics, have reinforced this perception.
Trump’s speech wasn’t universally well-received. Some in the audience groaned when he told Christian leaders not to vote for Democrats, stating, “I don’t know how a person of faith can vote for a Democrat… I really don’t,” and pointed out that some attendees were supporting candidates who, in his view, did not align with their religious values. Meanwhile, his Melania documentary and comments praising top models have sparked further discussion among his followers and critics alike.
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