Donald Trump’s relationship with religion has been a point of interest throughout his political career. The 78-year-old actively sought the support of Christian communities across the US during the 2024 election and in his two previous presidential runs. His presidency was marked by strong alliances with evangelical leaders and frequent references to traditional Christian values.
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Trump’s outreach to religious voters also became a cornerstone of his campaigns. Yet, his own religious beliefs and practices remain discreet. The president-elect—whose net worth grew exceptionally in 2024— has only offered glimpses into his spiritual beliefs. Here’s what we know about it.
What denomination does Donald Trump follow?
For much of his life, Trump identified as a Presbyterian, a Protestant denomination known for its formal worship services and Calvinist theological roots. Presbyterians emphasize the sovereignty of God and the authority of the Scripture, with a structured governance system led by elders, as explained by Gospel Coalition.
Deseret News confirms that Trump, whose hairstyle recently went viral, has often spoken fondly of attending First Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn as a child. His ties to religion were further strengthened through his family’s involvement with Marble Collegiate Church in Manhattan, led by the famed Reverend Norman Vincent Peale, author of The Power of Positive Thinking. As an adult, he contributed $10,000 to a church fundraiser.
However, in 2020, Trump revealed to Religion News Service that he no longer identifies as a Presbyterian, stating:
Though I was confirmed at a Presbyterian church as a child, I now consider myself to be a non-denominational Christian.
Non-denominational Christianity, unlike Presbyterianism, lacks formal ties to historic denominations and often features less structured worship practices. They focus more on a personal relationship with God.
Donald Trump’s private approach to faith
Despite his public alignment with evangelical Christian leaders, Trump’s personal religious practices remain private and personal. He has rarely delved into his spiritual beliefs during public appearances and interviews, and has often deflected questions about his faith.
During his interview on Bloomberg Politics, the former POTUS was asked to recite his favourite Bible verse. He declined to share his favourite verse and said:
I don’t want to get into it. To me, it’s very personal. The Bible means a lot to me, but I don’t want to get into specifics.
When asked if he’s an Old Testament guy or New Testament guy, he replied ‘probably equal’ and chose not to give a straight answer.
During his first presidential campaign, he said that when he does something wrong he just ‘tries to make it right’ without bringing God in between on being asked about times in his life when he’s sought out God’s forgiveness.
This discretion has also led to speculations about the depth and nature of his faith. A 2020 Pew Research Center survey found that most Americans did not perceive Trump as particularly religious.
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Sources used:
Gospel Coalition: Quick Guide to Christian Denominations
Deseret News: What has Donald Trump said about religion?
Religion News Service: Trump, confirmed a Presbyterian, now identifies as ‘non-denominational Christian’
