'I was kidding’: Trump clarifies he wasn’t serious when he said he’d never ‘make it to heaven’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump clarified during a Fox News interview with Laura Ingraham on Monday, November 10, that his earlier remarks about “not making it to heaven” were made in jest, saying the media had misinterpreted his humor.

The president explained he had been “kidding and having fun” when he previously talked about his chances of getting into heaven while discussing peace efforts.

Trump says he doesn't know if he will make it to heaven or not

During the interview, Laura Ingraham said, "In October, you were asked about ending wars and you talked about that and you said, 'I don't think there's anything that's going to get me into heaven. I think I am not maybe heaven-bound.' So, a lot of Christians were sort of sad to hear that because Christ came to forgive our sins, if you believe it as Christians, and they opened heaven to all of us," before asking, "So, don't you believe that?"

Trump replied, "So the other day, the New York Times did a story and took that statement totally literally. When I made that statement, I was being funny, sarcastic. You know it's bad for a politician to be sarcastic."

"I said, 'I'm never going to make it to heaven. I don't think I can make it.' I was kidding. I was having fun. I don't know if I will make it or not," he added.

Trump’s remarks about faith and salvation

Earlier this year, during a media interaction, Donald Trump was asked if his recent Middle East peace deal might “earn him favor with Saint Peter.”

“I'm being a little cute, I don't think there’s anything that’s going to get me into heaven, okay? I really don’t,” Trump said at the time. “I think I’m not maybe heaven-bound. I may be in heaven right now, as we fly on Air Force One. I’m not sure I’m gonna be able to make heaven, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people.”

Fox News reporter Peter Doocy’s question came nearly two months after Trump suggested that helping end the Russia-Ukraine war could boost his chances of getting into heaven.

During an August 19 phone interview with 'Fox & Friends', the presdient said one of his motivations for pursuing peace between Russia and Ukraine was spiritual, jokingly framing it as a potential ticket to the afterlife.

He also positioned himself as a possible mediator between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“If I can save 7,000 people a week from being killed, I think that’s pretty, I want to try to get to heaven if possible,” Trump said. “I’m hearing that I’m not doing well. I am really at the bottom of the totem pole,” he added, prompting laughter from the Fox News hosts. “But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.”

Following the interview, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters she believed Trump was sincere. “I think the president was serious,” she said. “I think the president wants to get to heaven, as I hope we all do in this room as well.”