How Trump's Heaven Comment Misses What the Bible Says about Salvation
U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines this week after following an appearance on Fox & Friends, where he claimed that helping end the war between Ukraine and Russia would get him to Heaven. Trump, who recently held separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, told Fox & News regarding his intentions to end the war. "I just want to end [the war between Russia and Ukraine]. If I can save seven thousand people a week from getting killed, that's pretty good. I want to get to Heaven if possible," the President said in a phone interview. "I'm hearing I'm not doing well. I hear I'm at the bottom of the totem pole. If I can get to Heaven, this will be one of the reasons."
First of all, it is commendable that Trump wants to end the war between Ukraine and Russia to save 7,000 people each week from being killed. We understand that war is a tragic event in which the loss of life is inevitable. It is also interesting to note that Trump says he is hearing that he is "not doing well" and that he's at the "bottom of the barrel," as if he realizes his own standing with God, thus his claim that he will get to Heaven by ending the war.
Saved by Faith, Not by Works
In a similar fashion to Trump, many people—religious or not— believe that good works are sufficient to get them to Heaven. Additionally, people contend they enter the pearly gates as a good person. The thing is, neither good work nor being a good person saves anyone. The Bible says that "we are saved by faith, not by our doing, for it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). It is through faith in Jesus and what He has done for us on the cross, forgiving our sins, imputing His righteousness, and reconciling us to God, that we are saved.
Only Jesus Christ
As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one (Romans 3:10-12)." It is only through Christ, we are born again (see John 3) and are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is in Christ we are given hearts of flesh over hearts of stone (see Ezekiel 36:26). There is no other way, except through Jesus who says "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
Pray for Trump
The apostle Paul encourages us to pray for our leaders. In his first letter to his protégé Timothy, Paul writes "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way" (1 Timothy 2:1-2). It is important to pray for those who are in high positions, including the President of the United States, as one who is instituted by God (Romans 13:12). In addition to praying for effective leadership, we must pray that he would come to know Christ, who is the only one who can save him. It is the work of Christ, not Trump's, that brought redemption. Therefore, let us pray that he would come to a true understanding of the gospel. Additionally, we pray that he would receive the right kind of discipleship from sound Christian leaders who are willing to present the Scriptures rightly to him regarding what salvation truly entails.
It is beyond coincidence that God, in His providence, saved Trump's life last year following an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. I'm sure that a near-death experience can change the trajectory of a person's life, realizing that tomorrow is never promised. I pray that Trump grows in his understanding that God is good and that nothing is impossible with Him when it comes to salvation (Matthew 19:26). Think about it. Apart from Christ, we would not have salvation at all, no matter how many good deeds we do, for we rightly deserve God's wrath against sin. Yet God, in His great mercy and love, sent forth His Son Jesus to die for our sins and give us eternal life. Praise God! For it is something to be grateful for each day. We must continually preach the Gospel to ourselves in both gratitude and humility. Although we did not deserve or earn salvation, our Lord gave us this great and glorious gift so that we would be born again to a living hope. We pray that others, including Trump, will know so as well.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/Contributor
Originally published August 22, 2025.
