Trump declares he'll 'probably' make it into heaven: 'I did a hell of a lot of good'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, February 5, said he believed he would “probably” make it into heaven. He brushed aside previous comments suggesting doubt about his eternal fate and accused journalists of taking his jokes too seriously.

Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Trump opened his remarks by revisiting his past remarks about not getting into heaven, saying they were meant humorously.

“I was just having fun,” Trump said, before adding that he expected a favorable outcome in the afterlife. “I really think I probably should make it. I mean, I’m not a perfect candidate, but I did a hell of a lot of good for perfect people, that’s for sure.”

The remarks drew laughter from the audience, where lawmakers, faith leaders and guests from both parties gathered for the annual event.

Trump starts Prayer Breakfast speech with joke 

Trump joked that while he was sometimes not eager to headline the breakfast, he was reluctant to skip it out of fear of divine repercussions.

“This is a beautiful American tradition, and it’s a true honor to be back,” he said, noting that he has attended nearly every time. “It’s hard to turn it down. I don’t have the courage to turn it down.”

Recalling a previous appearance, Trump said that he arrived in Washington at four in the morning and was told he would be speaking just hours later. “I said, ‘I’ll be there. I’m afraid not to be. I need all the help I can get,’” he added.

Trump's Heaven comments shift from past remarks 

Trump’s confident tone at the prayer breakfast contrasted with earlier remarks in which he appeared less certain about his spiritual destiny. In recent months, the president had publicly mused that he might not be “heaven-bound,” comments that sparked widespread attention.

At one point, Trump suggested that despite his efforts to broker peace and resolve global conflicts, he did not expect those actions alone to secure him a place in heaven. 

Trump attacks Democrats in his speech 

Trump also used the faith-based event to take aim at Democrats, questioning how religious voters could support the party.

“I don’t know how a person of faith can vote for a Democrat. I really don’t,” he said shortly after beginning his speech.

Despite the partisan rhetoric, the National Prayer Breakfast remains a bipartisan tradition, with lawmakers from both parties in attendance and the program led by honorary co-chairs from each side of the aisle.