Trump says he would rather hold onto his grudges than forgive political enemies and enter heaven

During a “60 Minutes” interview, the president said that he could not promise to forgive political opponents, including Nancy Pelosi and James Comey.

President Donald Trump says there are some grudges he simply isn’t willing to let go of — even if holding onto them could cost him a place in heaven.

During an interview with CBS News’ Ross Douthat for “60 Minutes” that aired Sunday, Nov. 8, Trump was asked whether he could forgive his political enemies if doing so were a requirement for entering paradise. His answer was an emphatic no.

According to USA Today, the exchange began when Douthat asked Trump what he believed would happen after he died. Trump responded, “I’m a religious person, so in theory, I go to heaven,” adding that he hoped to avoid hell.

Douthat then brought up the Christian message of forgiveness delivered by Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, during her husband’s memorial service in September 2025. He reminded Trump that the president had followed her remarks by declaring that he hated his political opponents and did not wish them well.

The CBS correspondent challenged Trump to consider whether he could forgive people such as former FBI Director James Comey and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi if doing so meant securing eternal paradise.

“Well, then I wouldn’t be real, would I?” Trump responded.

When Douthat pressed him on whether the answer was ultimately no, Trump didn’t back down.

“The answer is no. I want to be honest, no,” he said.

Trump went on to describe his political adversaries as “extremely dishonest people, very bad people, very bad for our country,” before acknowledging, “I do hate some of my enemies, and I always will.”

Douthat pushed back, questioning how Trump could have experienced what he described as such an extraordinary life and still struggle to find room for forgiveness.

The president maintained his position, pointing to his impeachments, indictments and what he characterized as the weaponization of the justice system against him.

The exchange offered another glimpse into Trump’s combative approach to political opposition, even when the conversation turned from politics to faith, mortality and the possibility of an afterlife.