Trump Says He Hopes for Heaven but Admits He Still Hates Some Enemies

President Donald Trump said he hopes to go to heaven, though he admitted he still hates some of his enemies. The remarks came during an extended 60 Minutes interview with writer Ross Douthat, which aired on CBS. Asked what he believes happens after death, Trump said he is a religious person and hopes to enter heaven. He added that he does not want to go to hell.

What was said in the interview

Douthat then turned to Christian teaching on forgiveness. He referred to remarks by Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, made at her husband's memorial service. Douthat asked whether forgiving political opponents such as James Comey and Nancy Pelosi would be required to enter paradise. Trump said no. Pressed on whether his answer would change before the judgment throne of God, he said the people involved were very bad.

Trump then said he probably could not forgive them. "Because I do hate some of my enemies, and I always will," he said. The exchange took place near the end of the broadcast.

Context

Jesus taught in Matthew 6:14-15 that people who forgive others will be forgiven, and that refusing to forgive carries consequences. Evangelist Franklin Graham responded to the interview on X. He wrote that "Heaven has borders" and has strict entrance requirements. Graham said entry requires acknowledging sin, repenting and placing faith in Jesus Christ, who died for sins and rose again. He wrote that religion cannot save a person, and that only a relationship with Jesus can.

The source article was published by Charisma News, a media outlet that reports from an evangelical perspective. Its author, Abby Trivett, is a writer and editor for Charisma Media.

What to watch

The source article calls on Christians to pray that President Trump would truly know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It asks for prayer that God would soften his heart, heal past wounds and give him strength to forgive those he considers enemies. Graham's comments and the article's prayer request are the views of those writers and are not a statement from the White House.