Trump Speaks at National Prayer Breakfast in Washington/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former President Donald Trump will attend the National Prayer Breakfast on Capitol Hill, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1953. He will also speak at a separate private prayer event at a Washington hotel. The bipartisan gathering, which has historically been attended by every U.S. president, has been split into two events since 2023 due to concerns over the private group that previously managed it.
Trump to Attend National Prayer Breakfast: Quick Look
- Trump will participate in the National Prayer Breakfast at the U.S. Capitol.
- He will also speak at a separate private prayer breakfast at a Washington hotel.
- The event has a long history, dating back to President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953.
- The breakfast split into two in 2023 over concerns about the private organization that previously ran it.
- Bipartisan leaders Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) are this year’s co-chairs.
- Trump’s past remarks at the event have stirred controversy, including jabs at political opponents.
Trump Speaks at National Prayer Breakfast in Washington
Trump to Speak at National Prayer Breakfast, Continuing Washington Tradition
Former President Donald Trump will participate in the National Prayer Breakfast at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, marking his return to a bipartisan Washington tradition that has been attended by every sitting president since Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. Trump will also speak at a separate prayer breakfast at a Washington hotel, organized by a private group.
A 70-Year-Old Tradition with a New Split
The National Prayer Breakfast has long been a moment for lawmakers from both parties to come together in a nonpartisan spirit of prayer and reflection. However, in 2023, the event split into two separate gatherings due to concerns about the private religious group that had overseen it for decades.
- The Capitol Hill event is now run by lawmakers and government officials and focuses on bipartisanship and unity.
- A larger private event, held at a Washington hotel, continues separately, attracting thousands of attendees.
This year, the official Capitol Hill prayer breakfast will be led by Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), serving as honorary co-chairs.
Trump’s Controversial History with the Event
Trump’s participation is notable given his past remarks at the event, which have often made headlines.
- In 2020, Trump criticized Democratic leaders during the final prayer breakfast of his first term, held just one day after his Senate acquittal in his first impeachment trial.
- He took aim at then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Mitt Romney, who had referenced his faith in his decision to convict Trump.
- Holding up newspapers with headlines announcing his acquittal, Trump stated:“I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong.”
This year’s appearance marks Trump’s return to the Capitol event, now as a former president.
Presidential Attendance Over the Years
The National Prayer Breakfast has been a staple of American political life since 1953, with every sitting president attending.
- In 2023 and 2024, President Joe Biden delivered remarks at the Capitol Hill event, which were livestreamed to the hotel gathering.
- Trump’s participation in both events this year highlights the continued political and religious significance of the breakfast.
What to Expect This Year
Trump is scheduled to speak at the Capitol event at 8:15 a.m. ET, followed by his speech at the private prayer breakfast at 9:15 a.m. ET. While prayer breakfasts traditionally focus on unity and faith, Trump’s past comments suggest his speech could include political messaging.
As Washington navigates a deeply divided political landscape, Trump’s return to the National Prayer Breakfast could set the tone for the intersection of faith and politics in the upcoming election season.
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