“Donald Trump said in a written interview with Religion News Service—facilitated by his spiritual adviser Paula White-Cain—that he no longer identifies as Presbyterian. Although he was confirmed in the Presbyterian Church and referred to himself that way for years, he now says otherwise.
“I now consider myself to be a non-denominational Christian,” Trump stated. He added that he and Melania Trump have visited many churches and met faith leaders worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he said he watched virtual services, noting that millions of Americans did the same.
While the Presbyterian Church had previously questioned his affiliation, his shift appears to reflect a gradual move away from his childhood denomination toward a more evangelical expression of faith.
Before becoming president, Trump was not known as a regular church attendee. He once attended the church of Norman Vincent Peale and has praised Peale’s book The Power of Positive Thinking. He has also attended Episcopal services on occasion. In 2016, one evangelical supporter described him as a “baby Christian.”
Since entering the White House, Trump has visited numerous evangelical and Pentecostal congregations, met with pastors, and received prayer from spiritual advisers, including White-Cain, founder of City of Destiny. She later served in a faith outreach role within his administration.
Polling from the Public Religion Research Institute indicates that many Americans question the depth of Trump’s religious convictions, with about 40% believing he uses religion primarily for political purposes. However, among white evangelical Republicans, 59% say they believe he has strong religious faith.”
