Americans View Trump as Less Religious

Pew survey finds more people see former president as not very religious.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:22am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty political office space, with warm sunlight streaming in through the windows and casting deep shadows across the room. A single American flag hangs limply in the corner, conveying a sense of solitude and contemplation.The shifting public view of a former president's religious identity reflects the evolving role of faith in American politics.Washington Today

A new Pew Research Center survey found that 70% of Americans now say former President Donald Trump is not too or not at all religious, up 8 percentage points from the last time the question was asked. The shift in public perception of Trump's religiosity comes as he remains a prominent political figure years after leaving office.

Why it matters

Trump's religious identity and values have long been a subject of debate, with some questioning the sincerity of his Christian faith. This latest survey suggests the public is increasingly skeptical of Trump's religious commitment, which could impact his standing with certain voter blocs.

The details

The Pew survey found that the share of Americans who view Trump as not very religious has grown from 62% to 70% over the past several years. This shift cuts across party lines, with increasing numbers of both Democrats and Republicans seeing the former president as lacking strong religious beliefs or practices.

  • The Pew Research Center conducted the survey in April 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th president of the United States, who left office in 2021 and remains an influential political figure.

Pew Research Center

A nonpartisan think tank that conducts public opinion surveys and demographic studies.

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The takeaway

The growing public perception of Trump as less religious could impact his political standing, especially with religious conservative voters who have been an important part of his base. This survey suggests Trump's religious identity is becoming a more complicated issue for him as he continues to play a role in national politics.