Fact check: What religion is donald trump

1. Summary of the results

Donald Trump's religious identity has evolved over time. He was raised Presbyterian and was formally confirmed in the Presbyterian Church in 1959 ^[1]. However, in October 2020, Trump publicly declared that he no longer identifies as Presbyterian and now considers himself a nondenominational Christian ^{[1] [2]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements need to be considered:

• Trump's religious upbringing was influenced by Norman Vincent Peale's "positive thinking" philosophy ^[3]
• He maintains various connections to different Christian denominations and leaders ^[1]
• Trump presents himself as a strong supporter of Christian causes, particularly regarding persecuted Christians globally, and reportedly collects Bibles ^[4]
• His shift from Presbyterian to nondenominational Christianity aligns with a broader trend of Americans moving away from mainline denominations ^[2]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The simple question of "what religion is Donald Trump" overlooks several crucial aspects:

• Questions of Authenticity: Multiple sources indicate that the depth of Trump's religious commitment has been questioned by observers ^[1]
• Political Strategy: There are suggestions that Trump's religious identification may be more politically motivated than spiritually driven ^{[2] [3]}
• Complexity of Religious Identity: His religious identity is not straightforward but rather involves complex affiliations with various Christian denominations and leaders ^[1]

Those who benefit from different interpretations include:

• Political strategists and campaign managers who can use religious identification to appeal to certain voter demographics
• Religious leaders and organizations who gain influence through association with a former president
• Media outlets who can frame the narrative according to their editorial stance