Trump jokes he's 'not heaven-bound' despite helping bring Israel-Hamas peace breakthrough

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND: President Donald Trump leaned into his trademark humor once again, joking about his chances of getting into heaven after a reporter asked whether his recent Middle East peace deal might earn him favor with Saint Peter.

The light-hearted exchange wasn’t the first of its kind, just two months ago, Trump made a similar remark during a phone interview, saying that one of his motivations for brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine was the hope of securing eternal salvation.

Trump downplays heavenly chances despite peace efforts

President Trump made a remark about his chances of getting into heaven after Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked whether the recent peace deal might help him earn 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 replied. “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.”

On Sunday, Trump reiterated that, had the 2020 election not been “rigged,” he would have prevented the war altogether, claiming millions of Russian and Ukrainian lives could have been saved.

The exchange took place as Trump traveled to Israel, ahead of the expected release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas. Of the 48 still unaccounted for, 20 are believed to be alive. His visit comes just over two years after the deadly Hamas incursion from Gaza, which killed 1,200 Israelis and led to hundreds being taken hostage.

Trump also declared, “The war is over,” referring to the Israel-Hamas conflict, a statement not yet confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He described the moment as a “very special time,” highlighting what he called an unprecedented joint celebration between Israel and several Muslim nations.

“Never happened before,” Trump said. “Usually, if you have one cheering, the other isn’t, the other is the opposite. This is the first time."

Trump says ending Russia-Ukraine war could help him ‘get to heaven’

Peter Doocy’s question on Sunday came nearly two months after President Trump lightheartedly 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', Trump 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 Zelenskyy.

“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.”