Trump says he’s ‘not heaven-bound,’ but claims he’s ‘made life better for a lot of people’

“I’m being a little cute,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t think there’s anything going to get me in heaven. I really don’t. I think I’m not maybe heaven-bound.”

Gesturing to the presidential jet, he added, “I may be in heaven right now as we fly on Air Force One. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make heaven, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people.”

The 79-year-old, then pivoted to criticise the 2020 election and the administration that followed, claiming that a “rigged” outcome had global consequences.

“We had an incompetent administration,” Trump said, referring to former president Joe Biden. “Because of a crooked election, millions of people are dead. And by the way, the Israeli thing was much harder to get settled because of the past administration.”

Trump’s latest comments continue a string of tongue-in-cheek remarks about his spiritual prospects. In August, during an appearance on Fox & Friends, he joked that saving lives through his peace initiatives might just earn him a place in heaven.

“If I can save 7,000 people a week from being killed, I think that’s pretty… I want to try to get to heaven if possible,” he said. “I’m hearing that I’m not doing well. I am really at the bottom of the totem pole. But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.”

Following that appearance, his campaign sent a fundraising email titled “I want to try and get to heaven,” asking supporters for $15 donations. The message also referenced his survival of a 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.

“Last year, I came millimeters from death when that bullet pierced through my skin,” the email read. “My triumphant return to the White House was never supposed to happen! But I believe that God saved me for one reason: TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

At the time, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump’s remarks were genuine. “I think the president was serious,” she told reporters. “I think the president wants to get to heaven – as I hope we all do in this room as well.”