Trump Disrupts National Prayer Breakfast Again

President's divisive remarks spark walkouts and questions about the event's future

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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President Donald Trump once again used the annual National Prayer Breakfast as a platform to make controversial and self-aggrandizing statements, drawing criticism from attendees who say his behavior is changing the character of the traditionally bipartisan event. Trump mocked the teachings of Jesus, claimed credit for events he did not influence, and questioned how any person of faith could vote for a Democrat, alienating many in the room.

Why it matters

The National Prayer Breakfast is meant to be a unifying event that brings together political leaders from both parties to pray for the country. Trump's divisive and self-serving remarks undermine this purpose and raise questions about the event's viability going forward, as some long-time attendees walked out in protest.

The details

At the 2020 breakfast, Trump mocked Jesus' teaching to "love your enemies" after a keynote address on the dangers of contempt. This year, he claimed credit for events he did not influence, such as the release of Sudanese Christian Mariam Ibrahim, who was freed in 2014, two years before Trump took office. Trump also questioned how any person of faith could vote for a Democrat, alienating many in the room, including Democratic members of Congress who were invited to attend.

  • The National Prayer Breakfast has been held annually in Washington, D.C. since 1953.
  • Trump has attended and spoken at the event during his presidency, using it as a platform to make controversial remarks.
  • The 2020 and 2023 National Prayer Breakfasts featured Trump's divisive comments that drew criticism from attendees.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who has used the National Prayer Breakfast as a platform to make divisive and self-aggrandizing statements.

Mariam Ibrahim

A Sudanese Christian woman who was imprisoned and sentenced to death in Sudan, before being released in 2014, two years before Trump took office.

Mike Johnson

The current Speaker of the House, who must decide how to respond to Trump's criticism of the prayer breakfast's traditions.

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What they’re saying

“I did that. I did that with one phone call, actually.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (The Dispatch)

“At a breakfast convened by people who believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, Trump took credit for having 'brought back the word Christmas,' and declared 'religion is back now hotter than ever before.'”

— Michael Wear, Author and former White House staffer (The Dispatch)

What’s next

The National Prayer Breakfast's organizers will need to decide whether to continue hosting the event in its current format, or make changes to prevent it from being co-opted for political purposes.

The takeaway

Trump's divisive behavior at the National Prayer Breakfast raises concerns about the future of the traditionally unifying event, as some attendees have walked out in protest. This reflects a broader challenge of preserving civic institutions and shared values in the face of increasing political polarization.