A brief conversation about the afterlife involving former President Donald Trump at a high-profile wedding has provoked significant anger among Christian communities online.
The Controversial Exchange
The incident unfolded at Mar-a-Lago, the exclusive Palm Beach resort, during the wedding of Mike Wilkerson, founder of the Redemption Group Network. Conservative Christian author and speaker Eric Metaxas, 62, shared a seconds-long clip of his interaction with Trump, who attended the Friday celebration.
In the footage, President Trump is seen greeting the bride and groom before turning his attention to Metaxas. Pointing to the Christian radio host, Trump told the groom, 'This is the guy who's going to get you to heaven.' Metaxas confidently replied while shaking the president's hand, 'I want to talk to him about getting to heaven.'
According to Metaxas's subsequent post on X, he then told Trump, 'I’d really like to talk to you about that… but another time,' suggesting the wedding was not the appropriate venue for such a discussion.
Online Backlash and Theological Concerns
Despite Metaxas's defence of his actions, the online reaction from many devout Christians was swift and critical. The core of their outrage centred on two main points: the perceived missed opportunity to share the gospel and the theological implications of Trump's statement.
One disappointed X user commented, 'I think any place is the appropriate place to share the gospel,' directly challenging Metaxas's decision to postpone the conversation. Another questioned the prioritisation, writing sarcastically, 'Yeah, a wedding reception is MUCH more important than his salvation. It'll keep.'
Theologically, Trump's remark that a person could 'get' someone into heaven also drew fire. A user emphasised, 'Jesus is the only one who can get you to heaven,' highlighting a fundamental Christian belief that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not through human intervention.
Context and Political Alliances
This is not the first time Trump has publicly mused about heaven. Last month, while aboard Air Force One, he addressed previous comments about brokering a peace deal to secure his place in the afterlife. 'I don't think there's anything going to get me in heaven,' Trump stated. 'I think I'm not maybe heaven-bound. I may be in heaven right now as we fly on Air Force One.'
The context of the wedding exchange is further complicated by the close alliance between Metaxas and Trump. Metaxas has been a vocal proponent of Trump and the MAGA movement for years. In May, Trump appointed Metaxas to a newly formed Religious Liberty Commission, cementing their political and ideological partnership.
The Daily Mail has contacted both Eric Metaxas and the White House for further comment on the incident.
