Trump says ‘there’s no reason to be good’ but to prove yourself to God

Donald Trump recently weighed in on his theological beliefs and explained why having faith is needed for a good country
Donald Trump made the remarks after a reporter asked him about his presidential prayer initiative during an Oval Office interaction on Monday, October 6 (Getty Images)
Donald Trump made the remarks after a reporter asked him about his presidential prayer initiative during an Oval Office interaction on Monday, October 6 (Getty Images)


 

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump, on Monday, October 6, shared his views on morality and faith while speaking to reporters at the Oval Office.

During the interaction, the commander-in-chief appeared to suggest that moral behavior holds little inherent value in daily life, and the main reason to be good is to demonstrate to God one's readiness for “that next step,” presumably heaven.

Trump says faith is needed for a good country

During the discussion, Donald Trump was asked by a reporter about a presidential prayer initiative ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary next year. "Talk to me about both of those events and why they’re so important, particularly the prayer initiative," they said.


WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 06: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks in the Oval Office of the White House on October 06, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump spoke on an executive order to increase the development and production of Alaska's natural resources. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump delivers remarks in the Oval Office of the White House on October 6, 2025, in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Trump responded, "We’re dealing — as you know — with all of the different – and not just evangelicals, Christians. We’re dealing with lots of different faiths, religions. And I felt for a long time that if a country doesn’t have religion, doesn’t have faith, doesn’t have God, it’s gonna be very hard to be a good country."

"You know, there’s no reason to be good. I wanna be good because you wanna prove to God you’re good, so you go to that next step, right? So, that’s very important to me. I think it’s really, very important," he added. 

During the same interaction, Trump refused to say whether he would pardon convicted Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and described a hypothetical situation where parents of a tourist murdered in Washington, DC, are given the bad news.

Trump claims God saved him to 'Make America Great Again'

For cover for first story : Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he is rushed offstage by U.S. Secret Service agents after being grazed by a bullet during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter is dead after injuring former U.S. President Donald Trump, killing one audience member and injuring another in the shooting. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

In August, Donald Trump sent a fundraising email to supporters titled, “I want to try and get to Heaven.”

“Last year, I came millimeters from death when that bullet pierced through my skin. My triumphant return to the White House was never supposed to happen!” the email stated, referring to the attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year.

“But I believe that God saved me for one reason: TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” the Republican leader insisted. 

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