Trump questions 'how a person of faith can vote for a Democrat' at National Prayer Breakfast, draws groans from audience

At the traditionally nonpartisan National Prayer Breakfast, President Trump asked 'how a person of faith can vote for a Democrat,' drawing audible groans from the bipartisan audience of politicians and religious leaders at the Washington Hilton. He added: 'I know we have some [Democrats] here today. I don't know why they're here. Because they certainly don't give us their vote.' The annual breakfast, founded in the 1950s as a bipartisan event for members of Congress and U.S. leaders to pray for one another, has historically avoided partisan attacks. Trump also announced a 'Rededicate 250' event on May 17 on the National Mall 'to rededicate America as one nation under God' and new Department of Education guidance to 'protect religious speech and prayer in public schools.' He said he expects lawsuits but told the crowd 'We'll win it.' On his own salvation, Trump joked: 'I really think I probably should make it [to heaven]. I mean, I'm not a perfect candidate, but I did a hell of a lot of good for perfect people.' The speech ran over an hour as Trump went on tangents, at one point explaining he doesn't sleep on planes because 'I like looking out the window watching for missiles and enemies, actually.' He also confirmed he will not fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amid fallout from the Minneapolis ICE controversies.

"I don't know how a person of faith can vote for a Democrat" — Trump at the National Prayer Breakfast, February 5, 2026, drawing audible groans from bipartisan audience