Crossroads Podcast: Why Religion Reporters Belong On Air Force One
Attention all leaders of newsrooms linked to the White House Press corps.
If the president of the United States boards Air Force One for a dramatic trip to Israel — in the larger symbolic region often called the “Holy Land” — please consider putting at least one or two skilled religion-beat specialists on the airplane.
This is especially true if said president is nearly 80 years old and, after a roller coaster life full of sex, riches and risky business deals, he has clearly stated that he is now pondering the location, location, location of the real estate in his eternal future.
Without a religion writer on board, you could end up with an airplane full of reporters who would miss the importance of a funny, but poignant, comment that received a tiny splash of ink in this short story from USA Today: “‘I’m being a little cute.’ Trump considers if Gaza ceasefire will get him into heaven.” Yes, this served as the hook for this week’s “Crossroads” podcast. Thus saith the overture:
Trump was answering questions from reporters on Air Force One on Oct. 12 when Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked whether this ceasefire would help the president get into heaven, referring to Trump’s previous comments that ending the war in Ukraine might help him make it to the pearly gates.
“I mean, I’m being a little cute. I don’t think there’s anything going to get me in heaven,” Trump responded to Doocy. “I think I’m not maybe heaven-bound ... I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make heaven, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people.”
Note that this comment came in response to an interesting question from a “conservative” media outlet, who made a logical leap from the Gaza peace negotiations to an interesting Trump statement made this past August on “Fox & Friends.” The context was Trump calling Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss peace negotiations with Ukraine.
That led to this statement, which was noted by USA Today:
“I want to try and get to heaven, if possible. I’m hearing I’m not doing well. I am really at the bottom of the totem pole. But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.”
Oh, and host Todd Wilken of Lutheran Public Radio reminded me that Trump made another interesting comment in a Truth Social blast announcing that both sides had signed on the dotted line to secure stage one of the historic Gaza deal.
The breakthrough came after high-level talks in Egypt and intense shuttle diplomacy involving Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt. Trump personally thanked all three nations, ending his post with: “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”
That comment, like the exchanges about heaven, drew little coverage (at least that I could find) from elite, blue ZIP code newsrooms. Maybe it was considered a “conservative” story, as in one that would only be of interest to the millions of pew-sitting Catholics, evangelicals and Pentecostal believers who put President Trump in the White House in the first place? Perhaps the president’s team needed to post it on Bluesky, so elite journalists would see it.
Another point of interest: I couldn’t find news reports containing this crucial information — that the “peacemakers” quotation was from Jesus, during his sermon (not a press conference) on a mountain in the Holy Land. Here’s the context in the Gospel of St. Matthew, for those who are not familiar with it (even though it’s pretty famous material in the world’s largest religion):
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Oh, and the final kicker in this context:
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. …
Wilken also asked this question: If I was on Air Force One the other day, what follow-up question would I have asked? The assumption here is that quite a few Americans would be interested in hearing Donald Trump talk about heaven and hell.
How about: Your statement implies that something might keep you from entering heaven. What might that be?
This might require (#triggerwarning) mentioning the word “sin.” I think it’s safe to say that quite a few secular Americans (and certainly liberal religious believers) think “sin” is a relevant word in discussions of the life of Orange Man Bad.
It helps to recall that Trump grew up as a mainline Presbyterian and now considers himself a “nondenominational Protestant,” America’s fastest growing religious flock. His White House team also includes a circle of active, thoughtful Catholics.
Trump has discussed “sin” before, of course, during the campaign that led to his first term as president.
Let’s flash back to this CNN report from 2015: “Trump believes in God, but hasn’t sought forgiveness.” The context was the Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa, organized by a number of conservative religious groups, including the Family Research Council. Read this carefully:
“People are so shocked when they find … out I am Protestant. I am Presbyterian. And I go to church and I love God and I love my church,” [Trump] said.
Moderator Frank Luntz asked Trump whether he has ever asked God for forgiveness for his actions.
“I am not sure I have. I just go on and try to do a better job from there. I don’t think so,” he said. “I think if I do something wrong, I think, I just try and make it right. I don’t bring God into that picture. I don’t.”
Trump said that while he hasn’t asked God for forgiveness, he does participate in Holy Communion.
“When I drink my little wine — which is about the only wine I drink — and have my little cracker, I guess that is a form of asking for forgiveness, and I do that as often as possible because I feel cleansed,” he said. “I think in terms of ‘let’s go on and let’s make it right.’”
A story in The Christian Post added additional material from later remarks, when Trump was asked to clarify his remarks about sin and forgiveness.
… Trump declared, “I go to communion and that’s asking forgiveness, you know, it’s a form of asking forgiveness.” During the interview the current GOP frontrunner stressed that he “likes to work where he doesn’t have to ask forgiveness.”
Was “asking for forgiveness” a central tenet in his faith?
“I try not to make mistakes where I have to ask forgiveness,” Trump answered.
When further asked about repentance … Trump said “I think repenting is terrific.”
“Why do I have to repent or ask for forgiveness, if I am not making mistakes?” asked Trump. “I work hard, I’m an honorable person.”
Maybe, if on Air Force One the other day, I would have asked: How has your religious faith changed since 2015?
You have said that God saved you from assassination for some larger purpose. Is that linked to your views on salvation? You also have said that Charlie Kirk believed in forgiving his enemies and that you cannot manage to do that. In fact, you said that you hate your opponents. Is that a sin?
Now, for the big question — one that, to be blunt, I don’t know if a mainstream supporter should ask. However, this subject is directly related to Trump’s remarks about being “low on the totem pole” in terms of entering heaven.
That question, to reference a certain “rich young ruler” in the Gospel of St. Matthew, would be lined to this: “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
In other words, does the president believe that getting into heaven has anything to do with Jesus? Maybe that’s a question that Charlie Kirk could have asked. I think it’s safe to say that he did ask it, once or twice.
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