Raise your hand if you thought a prayer breakfast would involve, well, prayer.
President Donald Trump spoke for over 75 minutes at Thursday’s National Prayer Breakfast, and somehow managed to turn a religious gathering into a boastful rant.
The most he talked about religion was when he claimed he would “probably” get into heaven. Or when he said religion is back now, “hotter than before.”
Highlights
- Trump delivered a 75-minute speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, focusing more on self-praise than religion or prayer.
- He boasted about Operation Absolute Resolve, claiming it was unprecedented and beneficial for Venezuela's economy.
- Trump claimed he saved Christmas by bringing back the word 'Christmas' in 2015, emphasizing cultural preservation.
- He accused Democrats of cheating, questioned how people of faith could vote for them, and called GOP Rep. Thomas Massie a 'moron.'
Donald Trump’s 75-minute speech at the National Prayer Breakfast was more of a boastful rant than anything else
Image credits: Alex Wong/Getty Images
“I never get a fair break from the fake news, which is back there. That’s a lot of fake news. Last time I was having a lot of fun, we had 60,000 people, and I’m talking about the fact I will never make it to heaven. I was being funny,” Trump said in a slurry tone. “I really think I probably should make it,” he said.
Trump continued, “I’m not a perfect candidate, but I did a hell of a lot good for perfect people.”
He went on to boast about the things he had done. For instance, at one point, Trump spoke about Operation Absolute Resolve, the U.S. military raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January.
“I don’t think there’s been anything quite like it ever,” Trump said, adding how “it’s great for them [Venezuelans] because they were, they were in big trouble economically.”
At another point, he bragged about saving Christmas. “In 2015, when I announced, I said, ‘We’re gonna bring back Christmas,’ because the word ‘Christmas’ was almost gone. We brought back the word ‘Christmas.’”
Trump also made his favorite claim: that the 2020 presidential election was unfair and “rigged.” He then spoke about how he had to win it for his “ego.”
Trump said he had to win the election for his ‘big ego’
“I had to win it. I had to win it. I needed it for my own ego. I would’ve had a bad ego for the rest of my life. Now I really have a big ego. Beating these lunatics was incredible ... the first time they said I didn’t win the popular vote. I did,” Trump claimed for the umpteenth time.
Trump also spoke about his sleeping habits.
Recalling a past trip to Iraq during his first term, Trump said, “I don’t sleep on planes. I don’t like sleeping on planes. You know, I like looking out the window watching for missiles and enemies, actually.”
Trump then welcomed two special guests, Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, and Félix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Bukele, who calls himself “the world’s coolest dictator,” was described by Trump as “one of my favorite people” and a “great ally” despite documented human rights violations against him.
“He operates rather large prisons,” Trump noted, before seemingly forgetting Tshisekedi’s name. “We’re joined today by a very, very brave and wonderful man. The president of the Congo. President. The president, would you stand up please?” Trump said.
About Democrats, Trump said, “I don’t know how a person of faith can vote for a Democrat. I really don’t. I know we have some here today. I don’t know why they’re here, because they certainly don’t give us their vote,” Trump said. “They cheat,” to win, Trump said.
Trump also questioned ‘how a person of faith can vote for a Democrat’
He called Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, who pushed for the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, a “moron.”
Of course, a Trump speech wouldn’t be complete without mentioning “Sleepy Joe” or “Crooked Joe.”
Talking about the U.S. military, Trump said it was the worst under the Biden administration. “I call them Crooked Joe and Sleepy Joe. I find them to be equal,” Trump said, before revealing that he does “polls” to see which is better. “And they poll about even.”
About the military, he boasted, “We have a military where they all look like Tom Cruise, only bigger”.
Trump briefly touched upon Greenland. “Denmark. Can you believe they own a large piece of ice that we’re negotiating for?” Trump said, before repeating, “It’s the biggest piece of ice in the world. The world's largest piece of ice.”
Trump previously called Greenland “Iceland” and said he needs to own Denmark’s territory because it’s psychologically important for him.
Trump also talked about “transgender insanity.”
“I stop the mutilation of children,” Trump said, framing himself as the eternal savior, against what he called “transgender for everybody.”
“The mutilation. The word is mutilation. They mutilize, you know, the mutilation of children.”
Lastly, he said something many would agree with: “I went over to Davos. They invited me. And when I left, they said, ‘That may have been the stupidest invitation we ever gave to somebody.’”
Trump was ridiculed online for many of his Davos moments
Trump was ridiculed online several times during his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last month.
It all began when Trump arrived at the venue, walking the red carpet in a crooked, uneven line. He then called Greenland “Iceland,” Azerbaijan “Abba-baijan,” and made several false claims, citing that grocery prices, energy costs, airfares, mortgage rates, rent, and car payments were all down.
People took to social media to discuss Trump’s latest speech—at a podium which has previously hosted Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Tony Blair, and Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative.
Image credits: Alex Wong/Getty Images
“How can this guy attend the National Prayer Breakfast and not spontaneously burst into flame the second he opens his mouth?” one user on X lamented, while another said, “It’s kind of incredible to turn a prayer breakfast into a grievance session about the press and then pivot to lobbying your way into heaven.”
A third noted, “Donald Trump has more rape accusations against him than appearances in church.”
Image credits: atrupar/X
The lack of religious history is what Trump himself acknowledged, while, of course, bragging about himself.
Trump mentioned Robert Jeffries, pastor of First Baptist Church, talking about him, saying, “He [Trump] may not have ever read the Bible, but he will be a much stronger messenger for us.”