President Donald Trump said Tuesday that bringing peace between Russia and Ukraine could help him enter heaven. He spoke with Fox & Friends a day after a White House meeting with Ukrainian and European leaders.
“I want to try and get to heaven, if possible,” Trump told the program. “I hear I’m not doing well. I am really at the bottom of the totem pole.” He chuckled, adding, “But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.”
The president tied life-saving diplomacy to divine reward. He suggested ending the Russia-Ukraine war might improve his spiritual standing.
Press Secretary Emphasizes Earnest Tone
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed that Trump did not joke. She said, “the president was serious” about linking peace efforts with his hope for heaven.
Critics and political observers responded sharply. Former aides and commentators questioned whether such comments hint at a frail mental or physical condition.
One report noted Trump’s comment about being “at the bottom of the totem pole” sparked concern. The Lincoln Project and American Bridge 21st Century questioned whether health issues might underlie his remarks. Some flagged signs such as confusion in public events, poor gait and fatigue.
Meanwhile, Trump’s comments have drawn attention to his increasing use of religious language. He has invoked divine guidance in diplomatic contexts and survived an assassination attempt last year, which he said left him feeling “saved by God.”
Trump continues to style himself as “mediator-in-chief.” He has claimed involvement in resolving conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia, though many of those claims remain disputed. He also laments his omission from the Nobel Peace Prize list, linking his aspirations for recognition with spiritual hope.