President Trump, who has allied himself closely with evangelicals but spoken little of his personal faith, released a new statement of his religious identification.
Trump, who was confirmed to the Presbyterian Church as a child, told the Religion News Service that he now identifies as a “nondenominational Christian,” a type of Protestantism that doesn’t adhere to any particular denominational customs but still promulgates the central doctrines of Christianity.
“Though I was confirmed at a Presbyterian church as a child, I now consider myself to be a nondenominational Christian,” Trump said. The president said his parents “taught me the importance of faith and prayer from a young age” but that “Melania and I have gotten to visit some amazing churches and meet with great faith leaders from around the world. During the unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak, I tuned into several virtual church services and know that millions of Americans did the same.”
First lady Melania Trump revealed she was Catholic in 2017 after meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican. “Today’s visit with His Holiness Pope Francis @Pontifex is one I’ll never forget. I was humbled by the honor. Blessings to all,” the first lady said after the meeting on social media.
Today’s visit with His Holiness Pope Francis @Pontifex is one I’ll never forget. I was humbled by the honor. Blessings to all. pic.twitter.com/NiomkFQqJb
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) May 24, 2017
Barron Trump, the youngest child of the first family, was baptized as a child in Palm Beach, Florida, at the Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal church. The 14-year-old Trump attends St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, which is located in Potomac, Maryland.
