Donald Trump's pre-recorded address to the National Prayer Breakfast has drawn criticism for its secular and combative tone, with the former US president using the event to air grievances and boast about his 2024 election victory. The speech, delivered in a slurry manner, included attacks on transgender rights, wind farms, and political opponents, as well as a false claim that the 2020 election was rigged.
Trump, 79, also praised El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele as 'one of my favourite people' and 'a great ally', despite documented human rights abuses in the Central American country. He awkwardly forgot the name of the Democratic Republic of Congo's President Félix Tshisekedi, simply asking him to stand as a 'brave man'.
The National Prayer Breakfast, traditionally a bipartisan event featuring speakers such as Mother Teresa and Bono, was used by Trump to promote his political agenda. He recounted a past trip to Iraq, saying he does not sleep on planes because he likes 'watching for missiles and enemies'.
Critics argue the speech highlights the 'devil's pact' between Republicans and right-wing evangelicals, who view Trump as a modern-day Cyrus the Great—a flawed instrument chosen by God to combat liberal secularism. Trump himself quoted a pastor who said he 'may not have ever read the Bible' but would be a stronger messenger for the religious right.
