President Donald Trump has been thinking a lot about heaven lately. At 79, the question seems to be nagging him more than ever, and he is not shy about sharing it.
On Air Force One last week, Fox Newsβ Peter Doocy asked if Trumpβs Israel-Hamas peace plan might improve his heavenly chances. Trump laughed, smirking.
βIβm being a little cute. I donβt think thereβs anything going to get me in heaven, okay? I really donβt,β he said. Then he added, joking, βI may be in heaven right now as we fly in Air Force One. Iβm not sure Iβm gonna make it.β
Only Trump could equate a jet to paradise.
This is not the first time he has wrestled with the idea. Back in August, he got candid on Fox News. βIβm hearing Iβm not doing well. I am really at the bottom of the totem pole,β he admitted. Then he offered a possible ticket to heaven. βIf I can save 7,000 people a week from being killed, I think thatβs prettyβ¦ I want to try and get to heaven, if possible.β It sounds like he is trying to bargain with the angels, offering world peace as his entry fee.
Age may be playing a role in all this reflection. Turning 78 last year, Trump grumbled, βYou know, thereβs a certain point at which you donβt want to hear βHappy Birthday.β You just want to pretend the day doesnβt exist.β
Psychologist Cynthia Shaw explains that birthdays, anniversaries, and milestones often make people stop and reflect. Approaching 80, Trump is likely thinking about his legacy.
Losing people close to us can also make thoughts about mortality hit harder. When Trump honored Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he said, βHe now rests in heaven, and heβs gonna make heaven. I said Iβm not sure Iβm gonna make it. But heβs gonna make it.β Kirkβs death clearly left an impact, stirring Trumpβs thoughts about his own future.
Therapists point out that worrying about earning a place in heaven is common.
Rachel Menzies, author of βMortals,β says many people believe their good deeds can protect them from the finality of death. Sobeyda Valle-Ellis, a therapist at HeartMatters NYC, notes that Trump seems to misunderstand salvation. He seems to think saving lives or doing good deeds can earn him a spot in heaven. In reality, she explains, admission into heaven is a gift of grace, not something you can work for.
Even some high-profile Christians get this wrong. Michael Bloomberg once said, βI have earned my place in heaven. Itβs not even close.β Sorry, Mike, heaven is not a deal you can close.
Despite the mix-up, Trumpβs open fretting about the afterlife is oddly endearing. As pastor Tim Keller says, βWe are more sinful and flawed than we dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted than you dare hope.β Trump may still be counting his good deeds, but heaven is not keeping score.
Featured image via Instagram screengrab