Fact check: What denomination of Christianity does Donald Trump practice?

1. Summary of the results

Donald Trump's religious affiliation has evolved over time. He was raised Presbyterian and attended Sunday school, being confirmed in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1959 ^[1]. However, in October 2020, Trump officially declared that he no longer identifies as Presbyterian and now considers himself a nondenominational Christian ^{[1] [2]}. This change was partially influenced by his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, including visits to various churches and virtual services ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements need to be considered:

• Trump has been associated with various Christian traditions, including Applied and Charismatic Christianity, and maintains close ties to evangelical minister Paula White ^[1]
• There are questions about the depth of his religious commitment, with only 44% of Americans believing he was genuinely Christian ^[1]
• Trump claims to attend church on Sundays when possible and on special occasions like Christmas and Easter ^[3]
• His shift from Presbyterian to nondenominational Christianity reflects a broader trend of Americans moving away from mainline denominations ^[2]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question itself oversimplifies a complex religious and political dynamic:

• While Trump's personal denomination is important, his relationship with religious groups is more politically significant. He received overwhelming support from White evangelical Protestants and conservative Catholics ^{[4] [5]}
• This support existed "despite not being considered an exemplary Christian by traditional standards" ^[4]
• Trump's religious identity has become intertwined with broader political movements, including QAnon and Christian nationalist movements ^[6]
• Trump has positioned himself as a "strong representative for Christians, particularly those facing persecution" ^[3], suggesting his religious identification serves both personal and political purposes

The beneficiaries of various narratives about Trump's religious affiliation include:

• Trump himself, who benefits politically from strong evangelical support
• Religious leaders like Paula White who gain influence through their association with him
• Christian nationalist movements that gain legitimacy through his support