President Donald Trump made unexpected comments about his chances of reaching heaven during a Fox & Friends interview Tuesday morning, August 19, revealing concerns about his spiritual standing while discussing efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
During the August 19 television appearance, Trump said, “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,” according to the interview that followed his summit with European leaders at the White House.
Trump suggested that saving lives through peace negotiations could improve his chances at the pearly gates. He referenced saving 7,000 people per week from being killed as motivation for his diplomatic efforts. The president expressed hope that if he could reach heaven, his Ukraine peace efforts would be one of the contributing reasons.
The theological discussion emerged when Trump was asked about reports that he had called Russian President Vladimir Putin during his European summit. Trump explained he avoided calling Putin in front of European leaders because he worried it would be disrespectful to the Russian leader.
Trump attempted to list other reasons he believed might help his heavenly chances, citing his role in ending what he described as conflicts between India and Pakistan in May, as well as stopping tensions between Iran and Israel in June. He claimed the India-Pakistan situation involved planes being shot down and could have escalated to nuclear war if left unchecked.
The president’s count of resolved conflicts appeared inconsistent during recent public appearances. During the Tuesday interview, he claimed to have ended seven wars, while at Monday’s summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, he had stated the number was six conflicts.
Fox News host Jesse Watters later defended Trump’s heaven commentary on “The Five,” suggesting the president possessed a childlike spirit and Sunday school mentality about doing good deeds. Watters indicated that Trump’s motivation stemmed from believing God saved his life during the July assassination attempt, viewing it as a sign he was on a divine mission.
The interview took an awkward turn when Trump repeatedly focused on the romantic relationship between Fox News hosts Ainsley Earhardt and Sean Hannity. Despite multiple attempts by co-host Lawrence Jones to redirect the conversation back to Ukraine, Trump continued discussing the couple’s engagement and their ability to walk safely in Washington following the recent federal takeover of the city’s police force.
Trump’s rambling commentary about the hosts’ relationship made Earhardt visibly uncomfortable, with observers comparing the situation to an embarrassing family dinner or dealing with an unruly pet. The call was eventually cut off after Trump’s repeated references to the couple despite their attempts to steer the conversation elsewhere.
This theological turn represents a pattern for Trump, who has previously invoked God while discussing military actions. After announcing strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump thanked God specifically and asked for divine protection of American military personnel in a national address.
Trump has openly sought recognition for his peace efforts, including making a direct call to Norway’s Finance Minister to discuss the Nobel Peace Prize. The President has publicly complained about not receiving the award despite his diplomatic initiatives, posting on Truth Social in June that he would not receive the prize regardless of outcomes in Russia-Ukraine or Israel-Iran conflicts.
Republican lawmakers Andy Ogles and Marlin Stutzman formally nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize on Tuesday, citing his efforts to bring both sides in the Ukraine conflict to negotiations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s diplomatic approach during her briefing, criticizing media coverage of the Ukraine peace efforts. She argued that foreign policy establishment critics had failed records of endless wars and wasted taxpayer dollars, while Trump had solved seven global conflicts in seven months.
The President’s summit with Putin in Alaska failed to produce the immediate ceasefire he had suggested was possible, though he described the three-hour meeting as extremely productive. Russia maintained its position rejecting NATO involvement in Ukraine, calling any military contingent from NATO countries a red line that could lead to uncontrolled escalation.
