Donald Trump recently crashed a Mar-a-Lago wedding and immediately began to discuss getting into heaven.
The US president spoke with a conservative Christian author and speaker about ‘getting him into’ the religion’s afterlife.
The author, Eric Metaxas, shared the exchange on social media but a section of devout Christians were left far from impressed.
On Saturday, Metaxas wrote: ‘Last night, at my friend Mike Wilkerson’s wedding at Mar-a-Lago, the President showed up.’
Wilkerson is the founder of the Redemption Group Network, which helps churches in developing their ministries.
The video shows Trump greeting the bride and groom but he pointed to Metaxas and said: ‘This is the guy who’s going to get you to heaven.’
Metaxas shook Trump’s hand and responded: ‘I want to talk to him about getting to heaven.’
While the rest of the conversation is not heard clearly in the video, Metaxas described what it was in his post.
He added: ‘I laughed and told him, “I’d really like to talk to you about that… but another time.”
‘Then I reminded him, “Don’t forget—you’re America’s Supercentennial President.”
‘Truthfully, I would love to have that conversation with him one day. But this wasn’t the place.’
The Supercentennial refers to the 250th anniversary of the US, which will be celebrated next year on July 4.
The post has divided devout Christians on X who are upset with the idea that an author could ‘get you into heaven’.
Others appear to be infuriated by the performative nature of the exchange in terms of religion.
One Christian user wrote: ‘Oh Lord… This is circus level Evangelical Americanised Christianity- brought to you by MAGA. Only in America do you get: Trump jokes, Metaxas nods, and suddenly salvation sounds like networking at a wedding.
‘Christ didn’t say, “Find the right guy.” He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” Big difference.’
Another replied to this, saying: ‘Thank You. As someone raised in the Catholic Church, participated in missions and eventually attended a private Catholic university that mandated 12 hours of Theology/Bible Studies with our Marianists, I can safely say, “THESE ain’t my Christians!” God himself would be repulsed.’
Others commented phrases such as: ‘He’s actually heard the gospel 100 times. I fear he has chosen to reject the truth!’ and ‘Jesus is the only one who can get you to heaven’.
Last night, at my friend Mike Wilkerson’s wedding at Mar-a-Lago, the President showed up. As he walked in, he pointed right at me and joked, “This is the guy who’s going to get me to heaven…”
I laughed and told him, “I’d really like to talk to you about that… but another… pic.twitter.com/0OoJeTE0cB