President Donald Trump made another unexpected appearance at a wedding celebration at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Friday, November 14, where he steered conversation toward an increasingly familiar topic: whether he will make it into heaven.
The 79-year-old president crashed the private wedding of investment banker and Stormwall founder Mike Wilkerson, greeting the newlyweds before becoming distracted when he spotted conservative radio host and author Eric Metaxas, 62, among the guests. Trump immediately pointed to Metaxas and told those gathered that the religious writer would be “the guy who’s going to get me into heaven.”
Metaxas, host of the radio show Socrates in the City, attempted to redirect the conversation. According to a video he shared on social media, he responded by telling Trump he wanted to discuss heaven with him, but added, “not here. Not here.” The exchange captured Trump’s continuing public musings about the afterlife, a subject he has raised repeatedly in recent months.
In his Instagram post recounting the encounter, Metaxas wrote that when the president walked into the ballroom, he pointed directly at him and made the heaven comment. The author explained that he laughed and told Trump he would genuinely like to have that conversation, but another time would be more appropriate. He also reminded the president that he is “America’s Supercentennial President.” Metaxas later clarified that while he would welcome the opportunity for a deeper faith discussion with Trump, a friend’s wedding was not the right setting.
Metaxas told reporters that he has encountered Trump on several occasions, and each time the president mentions watching his show regularly. The Socrates in the City program explores philosophical and theological questions about life, God, and faith. Metaxas suggested that Trump’s awareness of his Christian faith and hearing him discuss it on the show likely prompted the president’s comment about him facilitating a path to deeper faith.
Before departing the wedding reception, Trump also commented on the couple’s appearance, telling the crowd they were good looking and joking that he might use their photograph in a hotel advertisement.
Trump’s remarks about heaven have become a recurring theme in his public statements this year. In August, sources vary on the exact date, but reports indicate he told Fox and Friends hosts during a phone interview that he hoped brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine might help secure his place in heaven. He told the hosts he was hearing he was not doing well in that regard and was “at the bottom of the totem pole,” though he suggested that saving thousands of lives weekly through a peace deal could be one reason he might gain entry.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later characterized those comments as serious rather than humorous, stating that she believed the president genuinely wants to reach heaven, as she hoped everyone does.
However, Trump offered different commentary on October 12 while speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One. When asked about his earlier Ukraine comments, he acknowledged being “a little cute” and stated that he did not think anything would get him into heaven. He emphasized that he really did not believe he was heaven-bound, speculating that he might already be in heaven while flying on Air Force One. He added that while he was not sure he could make heaven, he had made life better for many people.
The president later attempted to clarify his position, telling Fox News host Laura Ingraham earlier this month that he had been sarcastic when making those comments. He explained that it was problematic for politicians to use sarcasm because people interpret statements literally. Trump said he was joking and having fun when he suggested he would never make it to heaven and did not qualify. Nevertheless, he conceded uncertainty about his ultimate fate, stating he did not know whether he would make it or not.
According to sources, the Trump campaign even incorporated the heaven theme into fundraising efforts, sending emails in August that requested donations during a 24-hour fundraising drive. The messages reportedly asked supporters to contribute $15 to help the president, with subject lines referencing his desire to reach heaven.
Trump’s habit of appearing uninvited at Mar-a-Lago weddings is well established. He crashed a wedding at the resort in 2021 to discuss Iran. Two years later, in 2023, he showed up at a wedding celebration at his New Jersey golf club just hours after pleading not guilty in a case related to the 2020 election.
Metaxas has written more than 30 children’s books, including two about Trump titled “Donald Builds the Wall” and “Donald Drains the Swamp.” The author has become a prominent Trump supporter, though he was not always an advocate for the president.
The Friday evening wedding that Trump attended belonged to Mike Wilkerson, whose organization Stormwall has been described as a patriotic forum. Wilkerson has authored books on American exceptionalism, addressing questions about national identity and direction.
Trump’s ongoing public contemplation of mortality and the afterlife represents an unusual departure from typical presidential discourse. While politicians frequently invoke religious faith, detailed speculation about one’s own prospects for eternal salvation is uncommon in modern political communication. The president’s willingness to repeatedly raise the subject, whether serious or sarcastic, has generated varied reactions from supporters and critics alike.
The Mar-a-Lago resort, which serves as both a private club and occasional residence for Trump, has hosted numerous events that the president has joined without formal invitation. Members and guests at the Florida property have come to expect impromptu appearances, though the topics Trump chooses to discuss vary considerably from one event to another.