Footage of Donald Trump appearing uncertain when discussing Christianity has resurfaced after a pastor claimed the president understood the Bible better than the Pope.
The renewed attention comes after several recent moments created tension between Trump and religious communities, including public clashes with the Pope, an AI image showing himself as Jesus, and a harsh warning to Iran that he ended with the phrase “praise be to Allah.”
Although Trump won strong support from Evangelical Christians in the 2024 election, he has often seemed unfamiliar with basic details of the Bible. Over the years, critics have pointed to moments such as his awkward pronunciation of “2 Corinthians” and his difficulty answering a simple question about his favorite Bible verse.
During a Bloomberg interview from his first presidential campaign, Trump avoided giving a specific answer when asked to name his favorite Bible passage. He said the topic was too personal and that he did not want to get into it. When the interviewer tried to make the question easier by asking whether he preferred the Old Testament or the New Testament, Trump replied that he probably liked both equally and described the entire Bible as “incredible.”
The clip began circulating again after MAGA-supporting pastor Robert Jeffress defended Trump’s religious views, claiming that Trump had a better understanding of what the Bible teaches about government than the Pope.
His comment came after a 22-foot golden statue of Trump was erected and blessed by a pastor at one of Trump’s Florida golf courses.
The statue quickly sparked backlash, with many people comparing it to a religious idol. Pastor Mark Burns, who blessed the monument, rejected that criticism and insisted it was not a “golden calf.” Instead, he described it as a symbol of resilience, freedom, patriotism, strength, and America’s future.
Still, critics argued that a large golden statue of a political leader naturally invited biblical comparisons, especially to stories warning against worshipping false idols. Many questioned why religious leaders would support such a display while also defending Trump’s connection to Christianity.
In recent weeks, Trump has tried to reinforce his religious image.
At the end of April, he released a video from the Oval Office in which he read a verse from 2 Chronicles while resting his hands on a Bible. The verse, popular among many conservatives, speaks about humility, prayer, repentance, and healing the land.
However, the resurfaced interview and the controversy surrounding the golden statue have only intensified debate over Trump’s relationship with Christianity. While his supporters continue to defend him, critics argue that his past struggles to answer basic Bible questions make claims about his superior religious understanding difficult to take seriously.