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President Trump joked about Speaker Johnson’s religious devotion during the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, recounting how the evangelical leader frequently requests prayer before meals, even during working lunches in the Oval Office.
“Did you know that, Mr. Speaker, you know, Mike Johnson’s a very religious person, that he does not hide it?” Trump said during the 74th annual bipartisan gathering in Washington. “He’ll say to me sometimes at lunch, ‘Sir, may we pray?’ I say, ‘Excuse me, we’re having lunch in the Oval.’ It’s okay with me. But, he’s a very religious person and he is popular, and he’s doing an unbelievable job.”
The president followed his lighthearted comments with praise for the Louisiana Republican, saying, “I think God is watching over you. God is watching over him,” before adding, “I don’t know about me. So I hang around with him because I feel I’m protected a little bit.”
The remarks came during an event that brought together lawmakers, faith leaders, and dignitaries from across the political spectrum. The National Prayer Breakfast has been a Washington tradition since 1953, serving as a rare moment of bipartisan unity centered around faith and prayer.
Johnson, who became Speaker of the House last year following a contentious leadership battle, has made no secret of his evangelical Christian faith. His religious convictions have informed his leadership style and policy positions since assuming the speakership, particularly on social issues.
During his address, Trump highlighted what he described as a religious revival taking place in America. “In 2025, more copies of the Holy Bible were sold in the United States than at any time in the last 100 years,” Trump claimed. He also stated that “young Americans attended church at nearly twice the rate as they did four years ago,” though he did not cite specific sources for these statistics.
In a significant announcement, the president unveiled plans for a national prayer gathering on the National Mall later this spring. “I’m pleased to announce that on May 17th, 2026, that we’re inviting Americans from all across the country to come together on our National Mall, to pray, to give thanks, and to return,” Trump said. “We’re going to rededicate America as one nation under God.”
The planned event appears designed to emphasize the administration’s focus on religious liberty and traditional values, themes that have been central to Trump’s messaging during his second term.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers underscored this approach in a statement to Fox News Digital before the breakfast, saying, “President Trump has made unprecedented strides to protect our God-given rights and has delivered on his promise to reverse Joe Biden’s divisive policies that weaponized the federal government against men and women of faith.”
Rogers specifically cited what she characterized as Trump administration victories for religious freedom, “from defending innocent life to restoring biological truth and protecting parents’ fundamental rights.”
The National Prayer Breakfast itself has evolved over the decades but continues to serve as a moment for political leaders to publicly express their faith commitments. This year’s event was notable for bringing together figures from across the political spectrum at a time of intense partisan division in Washington.
While the breakfast traditionally emphasizes unity over division, the political undertones in both the president’s remarks and the White House statement highlight how faith remains intertwined with policy positions and political identity in contemporary American politics.
Neither Speaker Johnson’s office nor the White House provided additional comments when contacted about the president’s remarks at the event.
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10 Comments
While Trump’s comments were lighthearted, they do highlight the role that faith can play in bridging political divides. Even adversaries can find common ground in shared spiritual values.
That’s a good point. The Prayer Breakfast serves as a reminder that there’s more that unites us as Americans than divides us, if we’re willing to set aside our differences, even temporarily.
Interesting to see Trump joking about Speaker Johnson’s piety during the Prayer Breakfast. It’s a reminder that even political rivals can find common ground in faith and prayer.
Yes, the National Prayer Breakfast has a long tradition of bringing people together across party lines. It’s good to see leaders setting aside differences, if only briefly, to focus on shared spiritual values.
The Prayer Breakfast is meant to be a unifying event, so it’s good to see Trump and Johnson finding some common ground, even if their politics often clash.
Absolutely. Moments like this remind us that our political leaders, for all their differences, are still human beings who can connect over shared spiritual beliefs.
I’m curious to know more about the dynamic between Trump and Speaker Johnson. Their rapport during the Prayer Breakfast seems surprisingly warm, given their political differences.
Yes, it will be interesting to see if this spirit of cooperation carries over into their regular interactions. The Prayer Breakfast is a unique setting that can bring out a different side in people.
Trump’s comments about feeling ‘protected’ around the religious Speaker Johnson are intriguing. Does he see a spiritual connection or just appreciates Johnson’s devotion?
It’s an unusual remark from Trump, who doesn’t always seem to prioritize religion. Perhaps he sees Johnson’s faith as a positive quality, even if it’s not his own personal belief system.