Trump Mocks Mealtime Prayer at National Prayer Breakfast

President Donald Trump couldn’t resist a little teasing during this year’s National Prayer Breakfast — even at the expense of House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Speaking Thursday at the long-running, bipartisan event in Washington, D.C., Trump poked fun at Johnson’s habit of praying before meals, turning the moment into one of the more memorable lines of his freewheeling speech.

The National Prayer Breakfast, founded in the 1950s, is meant to bring together lawmakers and leaders from across government to pray for one another and the nation. Trump, however, used the occasion to mix religion, humor, and politics — very much in his trademark style.

At one point, the president boasted about the resurgence of faith in the country.

“In 2025, more copies of the Holy Bible were sold in the United States than at any time in the last 100 years,” Trump said, drawing loud applause. He then turned toward Johnson, standing nearby. “Did you know that, Mr. Speaker?”

Trump described Johnson, an evangelical Southern Baptist, as openly devout and unapologetic about his faith — especially at lunchtime.

“Mike Johnson is a very religious person. He doesn’t hide it,” Trump said. “He’ll say to me sometimes at lunch, ‘Sir, may we pray?’ And I say, ‘Excuse me? We’re having lunch.’”

The president quickly added that he didn’t mind the prayers and praised Johnson’s leadership, telling the crowd the Speaker was “doing an unbelievable job” and suggesting that divine protection might be part of the reason.

Trump then leaned into one of his recurring jokes — his uncertainty about his own chances of getting into heaven.

“God is watching over him,” Trump said, raising his voice. “I don’t know about me! So I hang around with him so I feel protected a little bit.”

The crowd laughed and applauded as Trump smiled.

The president has returned to this theme several times over the past year. At last year’s Prayer Breakfast, Trump openly wondered whether he would ever make it past the pearly gates. This time, he insisted the remarks were meant to be humorous.

“I say, ‘I’m never going to make it to heaven. I don’t think I qualify,’” Trump said. “And the New York Times runs a front-page story saying Donald Trump is questioning the meaning of his life.”

He brushed off the coverage, saying he was just joking. “I was having fun,” he said. “I really think I probably should make it. I’m not perfect, but I did a hell of a lot of good for a lot of people.”

Trump has made similar comments in the past, including during an October trip aboard Air Force One, when he told reporters he wasn’t sure he was “heaven-bound,” before adding that he believed he had improved life for many Americans.

Although the Prayer Breakfast is traditionally nonpartisan, Trump also injected politics into the speech, questioning how “a person of faith can vote for a Democrat.” The remark drew audible groans from parts of the audience.