President Trump opened up about his own faith Thursday, telling attendees at the National Prayer Breakfast that his relationship with God has deepened since he survived an assassination attempt. Trump’s comments at the bipartisan event were more personal and conciliatory than is usual for the 78-year-old chief executive, who said he longs for the days when Republicans and Democrats can work together again — and even can enjoy a meal together.
“If we could ever come together, it would be unbelievable. May not happen, but it should, and maybe it will,” he said.
Trump referenced the July assassination attempt when a gunman’s bullet came within millimeters of ending his life.
“It changed something in me. I feel — I feel even stronger. I believed in God, but I feel, I feel much more strongly about it. Something happened,” he said to applause.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: “[Butler] changed something in me… I feel even stronger. I believed in God, but I feel much more strongly about it.” pic.twitter.com/1c7dSassJe
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 6, 2025
“But that event, like the tragedy last week,” he said of the airplane crash, “should remind us all that we have to make the most out of every single day that we have.”
Multiple times during his speech, Trump urged the country to return to religion.
“I really believe you can’t be happy without religion,” he said. ‘Without that belief, I really believe it — I just don’t see how you can. So, let’s bring religion back. Let’s bring God back into our lives.”
America was founded on religious principles, he said.
“From the earliest days of our republic, faith in God has always been the ultimate source of the strength that beats in the hearts of our nation,” he said. “We have to bring religion back. We have to bring it back much stronger. It’s one of the biggest problems that we’ve had over the last fairly long period of time; we have to bring it back. …At every stage of the American story, our country has drawn hope and courage and inspiration from our trust in the Almighty. Deep in the soul of every patriot is the knowledge that God has a special plan and a glorious mission for America, and that plan is going to happen. It’s going to happen. I hope it happens sooner rather than later. It’s going to happen. And it’s His hand that guides us every single step of the way.”
The lives of historical figures like George Washington, John Winthrop, and Roger Williams “remind us that without faith in God, there would be no American story.”
“Every citizen should be proud of this exceptional heritage,” Trump said.
With legislators from both parties listening, the president encouraged people of faith to unite for the common good.
“Many of you are very religious, and I just think that our country has been so badly hurt. We’re very hurt by what COVID did to religion. It really hurt, badly. People couldn’t go to church for a long period of time, even going outside. They were given a hard time, and I’m not blaming anybody for that, but it was very hard to gather.
“We have to put our country first, making America stronger and greater and more exceptional than ever before, and we have to make religion a much more important factor now. We have to make it an important factor. And if we do that, our job is just going to be much easier. It unifies people. It brings people together. Democrats are going to be able to have lunch again and dinner with Republicans.”
Trump recounted a story from his childhood when he saw a Democratic legislator enjoying a meal with a Republican. Today, he said, such a concept is “shocking, and it shouldn’t be.”
“We really have to get together. We all know what’s right and what’s wrong, and there’s going to be compromise on both sides, but we have to just do the right thing, and we have to get together,” he said.
The president acknowledged that some issues — such as biological men in women’s sports — are not as open for compromise. Other issues, though, are not as black and white.
“It’s doable,” he said.
The tragic helicopter-airplane crash, he said, will result in an improved air traffic control system.
“That’s going to be used for good,” he said of the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Trump announced plans for a “National Garden of American Heroes,” a new historic site in Washington, D.C., that would honor heroes of American history. It’s an idea he first announced during his first term.
“We’re going to be honoring our heroes, honoring the greatest people from our country,” he said.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: The stories of legends like Washington, Winthrop and Williams remind us that without faith in God, there would be no American story. Every citizen should be proud of this exceptional heritage…
That’s why I have signed an Executive Order to resume the process… pic.twitter.com/nPGI7BFRmE
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 6, 2025
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Andrew Harnik/Staff
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael’s Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published February 06, 2025.
