Trump's national prayer event largely features Christian leaders
Source: USA Today
Updated May 5, 2026, 11:11 a.m. ET
WASHINGTON ‒ A national prayer event meant to unite the country will largely reflect just one faith. President Donald Trump's May 17 National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving on the National Mall is designed to "gather a broad assembly of voices united by a love of God and country," according to a May 1 release.
"The National Mall will be the scene of a historic gathering as Americans of every background across the country prepare for the nation’s 250th birthday with Scripture, testimony, prayer, and rededication of our country as One Nation to God," the event description reads. But of the 15 faith leaders participating in the Rededicate 250 event, 14 are Christian, including seven evangelical leaders and two Catholics, according to the news release. Orthodox Jewish Rabbi Meir Soloveichik is the only non-Christian religious leader listed as a participant.
Freedom 250, the nonprofit organization Trump created to plan his vision for the 250th milestone, told USA TODAY in March it was in talks with leaders from a variety of non-Christian religions for the event, including Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism. No representatives from those or other religions appear in the announced programming. Freedom 250 did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Christianity-focused gathering comes as some historians and religious groups are accusing Trump of promoting Christian nationalism, rather than religious freedom, and misleadingly rewriting the story of the nation's founding. Christian nationalism is based on the belief that the United States is a Christian nation.
Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/usa250/2026/05/05/rededicate-250-christianity-religious-diversity/89931911007/
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