Trump recalls Ben Carson told him ‘god wants you to win it’ during 2016 GOP primary fight

WASHINGTON DC: President Donald Trump once again recounted a private exchange with Dr Ben Carson from the early days of his 2016 campaign, this time with a humorous twist.

Speaking before the House Religious Liberty Commission on September 8, Trump surprised the audience by retelling how Carson had once reassured him after a Republican debate.

Donald Trump recalls Ben Carson's reassuring words 

President Donald Trump praised Dr Ben Carson, describing him as “a very tough opponent” during the crowded Republican primary.

“He’s been my friend from the beginning, right from the beginning. Should I tell them the story what you said to me, Ben, the famous words? He was a very tough opponent,” Trump said, before describing their interaction after the first debate. 

“We were fighting it out and we had actually 18 candidates, including me, and Ben came up to me right after the first debate and he said, ‘You know you are going to win, don’t you?’ and I said, ‘No, I don’t know that. I think I’m going to win, but I don’t know it.’

“18 people and I had never done it before. They had all done it. They were all governors and senators, talented people. He said, ‘No you’re going to win it because God wants you to win it,’” Trump told the audience.

The lighthearted retelling drew laughter when Trump joked about Carson’s persistence despite offering such uplifting words. “That didn’t stop him and we went through,” Trump said.

He added, “I said when is this guy going to quit, you know. He gave me these words and then he goes weeks and weeks…” — again prompting laughter.

Ben Carson says 'God intervened' when Trump survived Butler assasin

Those who follow Trump closely may recall that this is not the first time he has shared this story.

On the National Day of Prayer in May, Trump offered a different version of Carson’s encouragement.

“He’s been with me from the beginning. You know, he was campaigning against me, originally. Can I tell that story, Ben? You mind? Are you sure you don’t mind? Because he was campaigning, he was very effective, and he was going up in the polls."

He added, "And he looked at me about three or four debates in, and he said, ‘You know, you’re going to win by a lot, don’t you?’ This was during 2016,” Trump said at the time.

Carson has also reflected on Trump surviving an assassination attempt while speaking at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024.

He said Trump survived because “God intervened” to save him.

Trump says Ben Carson told him 'nobody' can beat him

Trump recalled how Carson repeatedly expressed confidence in his victory.

“And I said, ‘What do you mean, Ben, what you mean? You’re campaigning, don’t say that, Ben! You’re campaigning! You have a shot.’"

Trump continued, "He was a little bit behind, pretty far, far enough. But he said, ‘You know you’re going to win. These people can’t beat you. Nobody’s going to be able to beat you.’ And I said, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘Because God is with you.’”

Trump added, “I said, ‘That’s nice.’ And he said it once again in the church, remember that, Ben? He pulled me over, he said, ‘Remember what I told you, God is with you.’ And we went on to win,” according to Trump’s account.