Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump stirred debate with an Easter message on April 14, 2025, declaring, “America is a nation of believers. We need God. We want God. And with His help, we will make our nation stronger.” The statement, part of a Palm Sunday post on Truth Social and a formal Holy Week message co-signed with Melania Trump, was amplified on April 20 as “breaking” news, though it predates the post by six days. The message reflects Trump’s ongoing appeal to Christian values, a cornerstone of his political identity.
In his full Truth Social post, Trump wished Christians a “Blessed Holiday,” adding that divine help would make America “Stronger, Safer, Greater, more Prosperous, and more United.” The Holy Week message pledged to “defend the Christian faith” and protect religious liberty, echoing Trump’s 2024 campaign promises to evangelical voters. At the National Prayer Breakfast in February 2025, he reiterated, “We can’t be happy without religion,” and his January inauguration speech claimed divine intervention after surviving 2024 assassination attempts, framing his leadership as God-ordained.
The message drew polarized reactions. Supporters on X, like
@bienvenido_us, praised its “holy” tone, while evangelical leader Rev. Franklin Graham called it “historic” for its gospel clarity in a CBN News interview on April 16. Critics, however, raised concerns about church-state separation. The Freedom From Religion Foundation’s Annie Laurie Gaylor argued, “America is a nation of believers and nonbelievers… The presidential podium should not be a pulpit,” noting only 62% of Americans identify as Christian, per recent polls.
Trump’s rhetoric taps into a long-standing debate over religion in governance. While he has cited “In God We Trust” on currency to claim America’s religious roots, historians note the Constitution avoids explicit religious endorsement, and phrases like “under God” in the Pledge were added in 1954. Critics argue Trump’s focus risks alienating non-Christians, especially after Biden’s 2024 Easter overlap with Transgender Day of Visibility drew conservative ire, which Trump allies contrasted with his approach.
The “breaking” label on April 20 appears misleading but underscores Trump’s strategy to project a divinely guided leadership image, resonating with his base while fueling debates over the role of faith in American politics. As the nation navigates these tensions, Trump’s Easter message highlights the enduring divide over church and state.