President Donald Trump’s drop-in at a Palm Beach wedding has split his Christian supporters—not for the appearance itself, but for his comments about getting into heaven.
Conservative Christian author and speaker Eric Metaxas posted the exchange on X after Trump arrived unannounced at a ceremony at Mar-a-Lago.
“Last night, at my friend Mike Wilkerson’s wedding at Mar-a-Lago, the President showed up,” Metaxas, 62, wrote on Saturday.
According to the Daily Mail, Wilkerson founded the Redemption Group Network, which helps churches develop their ministries. As Trump greeted the groom, he reportedly pointed to Metaxas and said, “This is the guy who’s going to get you to heaven.”
The video’s audio cuts out, but Metaxas recounted the moment on X: “I laughed and told him, ‘I’d really like to talk to you about that … but another time’” as he shook Trump’s hand and pointed back at him.
Metaxas said he also reminded Trump that he’s “America’s super centennial president, as America turns 250 years old.”
“Truthfully, I would love to have that conversation one day, but this wasn’t the place,” he added.
Some users pushed back. “I think any place is the appropriate place to share the gospel,” one replied. Another wrote, “I’m sorry - did you just say you wanted to share the gospel with the president of the United States, but this wasn’t the place? Are you for real, right now?”
Others accused Trump of performative religiosity. “He’s actually heard the gospel 100 times. I fear he has chosen to reject the truth,” one user wrote.
Trump, who identifies as a nondenominational Christian, told reporters aboard Air Force One in October that he may not reach heaven.
“I don't think there's anything going to get me in heaven,” he said. “I really don't. I think I'm not maybe heaven-bound. I may be in heaven right now as we fly on Air Force One.”