Harper West
President Donald Trump attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, continuing a tradition begun by President Eisenhower in 1953. Trump's attendance at the bipartisan gathering came after he clashed with religious leaders, including disagreeing with Reverend Mariann Budde's sermon, which called for mercy for members of the LGBTQ+ community and migrants in the country illegally. Trump's remarks at the event reflected on his relationship with religion, with him stating that something happened and that his relationship with religion had changed after a pair of failed assassination attempts. He also expressed gratitude that the episode didn't affect my hair. Trump's speech at the breakfast was criticised by faith leaders, with some stating that it was deeply problematic and broke with the tradition of the event being a respite from partisan bickering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 6th February 2025 |
| Location | Washington |
| Attendees | Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Karen Pence, Rex Tillerson, Mike Pompeo, Sam Brownback, Gerald Toussaint |
| Themes | Religion, God, Prayer, Faith, Religious Freedom, Anti-Christian Bias, Religious Liberty, Persecution |
| Notable Moments | Trump held up newspapers with "Acquitted" headline, Trump thanked American people for their faith and prayers, Trump drew laughs when he said the episode "didn't affect my hair" |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's attendance at the 68th annual National Prayer Breakfast in 2020
On February 6, 2020, President Donald Trump attended the 68th annual National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton in Washington. Trump has been a regular attendee at the event, having been invited to the first one.
In his speech, Trump thanked his supporters, including Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, and the American people, whose "faith and prayers have sustained [him] and inspired [him] through some very, very tough times." He also acknowledged the presence of members of his Cabinet, including Secretary Mike Pompeo, Mark Esper, and David Bernhardt, among others.
Trump's address emphasized the importance of faith and religion in America. He highlighted the contributions of faith communities to civil rights movements and the protection of religious liberty, including the right to pray in public schools. Trump also mentioned his recent executive action to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding colleges and universities that promote anti-Semitism or negativity about Christianity.
Trump's remarks included references to current events, such as the impeachment trial, from which he had been acquitted just days before the breakfast. He drew laughs when he held up newspapers with banner headlines about his acquittal and made statements like, "Nor do I like people who say, 'I pray for you,' when they know that that's not so." Trump also spoke about the recent death of Chief William "Ryan" Owens, an American hero, and expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by those in uniform.
The National Prayer Breakfast is a long-standing tradition, started by President Eisenhower in 1953, and has been attended by every president since.
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Trump's remarks on religious freedom and anti-Christian bias
On February 6, 2025, former US President Donald Trump attended the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC. In his remarks, Trump emphasized the importance of faith and spiritual success over material success. He also expressed gratitude for the support and prayers of the American people, which he credited for sustaining him through challenging times.
Trump, a nondenominational Christian, highlighted his belief in religious liberty as "part of the bedrock of American life." He called for protecting religious freedom with "absolute devotion." The president's comments reflected a shift in his relationship with religion following a pair of failed assassination attempts, as he urged Americans to bring God back into their lives.
Trump's remarks also included criticisms of certain Democratic leaders, such as then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Mitt Romney. He accused them of using their faith to justify actions he believed to be wrong. Trump stated, "I don't like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong." He also expressed his dislike for people who insincerely claimed to pray for him.
In addition to his comments at the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump announced the formation of a task force led by Attorney General Pam Bondi to address "anti-Christian bias" in the US. The task force aimed to halt all forms of anti-Christian discrimination within the federal government and prosecute anti-Christian violence and vandalism. Trump's administration's efforts to address religious freedom and anti-Christian bias were met with criticism from some groups, such as Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who raised concerns about potential misuse of religious freedom to justify discrimination.
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Trump's reflection on his relationship with religion and God
Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States, has had a complex relationship with religion and God. While he was raised in the Presbyterian faith, he later identified as a non-denominational Christian. Trump has made various statements and taken actions that reflect his religious beliefs and their influence on his political career.
Trump has expressed a belief in God and has woven Christian religious imagery into his presidential campaigns. In 2015, he stated that his favourite book was the Bible, and he has made references to Bible verses in his speeches. He has also attended National Prayer Breakfasts and other religious events, such as signing an executive order during a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden of the White House. At these events, Trump has emphasised the importance of religion and God in his life and in the nation. He has referred to the United States as a "'nation of believers'" and has characterised his campaigns as a "righteous crusade" against "atheists, globalists and Marxists".
Trump's religious views have been questioned by some, with a survey during his first presidency showing that 63% of Americans did not believe he was religious, despite his professed Christian affiliation. His understanding of Scripture has also been called into question, such as when he referred to "Two Corinthians" instead of "Second Corinthians" in a speech to evangelicals.
Trump has had associations with prominent religious figures, such as televangelists Jimmy Swaggart, Billy Graham, David Jeremiah, and singer Bill Gaither. Paula White, a pastor, has also been a close confidant to Trump and his family, providing spiritual counsel and guidance. Trump's rallies and policies have also reflected the symbols, rhetoric, and agenda of Christian nationalism. He has established faith-focused entities and appointed influential Christian supporters to his administration.
Trump's reflections on his relationship with religion and God have been a topic of discussion and speculation among observers and the American public. While some question the depth of his religious convictions, others believe that his wealth and networking abilities will ensure his favourable standing with God. Trump himself has expressed uncertainty about his afterlife destination, acknowledging that his decades of acting in his own self-interest could be a factor in the ultimate judgment.
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Trump's comments on current events and politics
At the National Prayer Breakfast in 2025, President Trump commented on his relationship with religion and his belief in God. He stated that his relationship with religion had changed and that he felt "much more strongly about it", referring to a pair of failed assassination attempts. He also expressed gratitude that the episode "didn't affect my hair", which drew laughs from the audience.
Trump also spoke about the importance of religious liberty, calling it "part of the bedrock of American life" and emphasised the need to protect it with "absolute devotion". He announced the formation of a task force led by Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the "targeting" of Christians and to fully prosecute anti-Christian violence and vandalism.
Trump's comments reflected his desire to bring religion and God back into people's lives. He stated that "America is a nation of believers" and that spiritual success is more important than material success. He also highlighted the role of faith and prayer in America's history, including the days of fasting and prayer during the fight for independence and the reading of the Bible during the moon landing.
Additionally, Trump used the platform to comment on current events, such as the return of Chief William "Ryan" Owens' remains to Dover Air Force Base and the appointment of Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. He also mentioned the International Religious Freedom Alliance, launched by his administration, and expressed support for the Venezuelan people in their struggle for freedom.
Trump's remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast were met with mixed reactions. While they buoyed his allies, a wide spectrum of faith leaders was dismayed by his aggressive tone and political attacks on opponents.
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Reactions to Trump's speech from faith leaders and the public
During the 68th annual National Prayer Breakfast, President Donald Trump's remarks drew mixed reactions from faith leaders and the public. Trump's speech, which focused on the importance of faith and religion in America, was met with both applause and criticism.
Many faith leaders expressed dismay at Trump's decision to make political attacks and criticise his opponents during the prayer breakfast. Rev. Tom Lambrecht, general manager of the conservative United Methodist magazine Good News, stated that "a bipartisan prayer breakfast is the last place one would expect to find political attacks on opponents," and called for a return to civility and grace. Similarly, Conservative Jewish Rabbi Noah Farkas of the Valley Beth Shalom congregation in Encino, California, asserted that Trump's use of the National Prayer Breakfast to lambaste the faith of his opponents was "deeply problematic" and disrespectful.
At Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, English professor Karen Swallow Prior reflected on how Trump's remarks politicised religious faith. She wrote, "The problem with such statements is not Trump himself, but rather they reveal how American Christianity has become a kind of currency whose value depends on whose possession it’s in."
On the other hand, some people agreed with Trump's criticism of his opponents' faith. At the prayer breakfast, Jeffress justified the criticism, arguing that it was hypocritical for Trump's opponents to say they wanted to pray for him when they had been attacking him and his family nonstop. Mike Noel, a former GOP legislator, shared a similar sentiment, criticising Senator Romney in the process.
Trump's speech also included comments on the protection of faith communities and his administration's efforts to defend religious liberty. He highlighted his support for the constitutional right to pray in public schools and his actions to stop taxpayer dollars from funding colleges and universities that spread anti-Semitism or speak negatively about Christianity. These remarks were well-received by some attendees, who applauded and cheered during his speech.
Overall, while some supported Trump's statements, his decision to politicise the National Prayer Breakfast and criticise his opponents' faith dismayed a significant number of faith leaders and members of the public. The event highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding the intersection of religion and politics in America.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Trump attended the National Prayer Breakfast on the 6th of February 2025.
Trump said, "Let's bring religion back. Let's bring God back into our lives." He also said that he believed people "can't be happy without religion, without that belief."
The National Prayer Breakfast is a Washington tradition that brings together a bipartisan group of lawmakers for fellowship. It first began in 1953 when President Eisenhower attended.
Trump smiled as he arrived and looked at the front page of a newspaper with the headline "Trump Acquitted". He also held up two newspapers with the headline "Acquitted" to herald the Senate's vote against removing him from office.
Trump's remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast dismayed a wide spectrum of faith leaders. Rev. Tom Lambrecht, general manager of the United Methodist magazine Good News, said, "A bipartisan prayer breakfast is the last place one would expect to find political attacks on opponents."
