Trump Calls Himself ‘Non-Denominational Christian,’ Says He’s ‘Thankful to God’ for Healing from Virus
President Trump says in a new interview he identifies as a “non-denominational Christian” and that he thanks God for his healing from Covid-19.
Trump’s comments came in a written interview with Religion News Service, which called it a “rare exchange” about religion with a president who has a close relationship with Christian leaders but seldom discusses his own faith.
Trump grew up Presbyterian and was confirmed in 1959 at First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, Queens, the oldest continuously serving Presbyterian church in the U.S. He told RNS his parents “taught me the importance of faith and prayer from a young age,”
He called himself a Presbyterian when he ran for president in 2016, yet told RNS he has changed his faith identity.
“Though I was confirmed at a Presbyterian church as a child, I now consider myself to be a non-denominational Christian,” Trump said.
Trump added, “Melania and I have gotten to visit some amazing churches and meet with great faith leaders from around the world. During the unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak, I tuned into several virtual church services and know that millions of Americans did the same.”
Asked by RNS what he learned during his battle with Covid-19, Trump said he “felt the prayers of Americans from all across the country – and even around the world.”
“I said, ‘There were miracles coming down from heaven.’ I meant it – Melania and I are very thankful to God for looking out for our family and returning us to good health,” Trump said.
During the written interview, Trump also applauded the work of the relief organization Samaritan’s Purse and its president and CEO, Franklin Graham.
“These amazing people love the U.S.A. and have a genuine desire to work together for the betterment of all Americans,” Trump said. “I appreciate their prayers and am encouraged by their great faith.”
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Mark Wilson/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.
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