What Happens When Trump Dies? President Discusses Heaven, God and Forgiving Enemies on 60 Minutes

President Donald Trump discussed what he believes will happen after his death, his chances of going to heaven and whether he could forgive his political enemies during a Nov. 9, 2026, interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes correspondent Ross Douthat. Asked about his religious beliefs and the possibility of entering heaven, Trump said he considers himself religious but acknowledged that he may never forgive some of his opponents.

Douthat raised the question toward the end of the interview, referring to Trump’s survival of multiple assassination attempts before asking about his views on death and the afterlife. When Douthat asked directly about his fate, Trump said, “I’m a religious person, so in theory I go to heaven,” then added, “I hope so. I don’t want to go to hell.”

Trump Says He Cannot Forgive Some Political Enemies

The conversation took a more pointed turn when Douthat brought up Charlie Kirk, the conservative commentator and Turning Point USA founder who died earlier this year. Douthat referenced remarks by Kirk’s widow, Erika, at his memorial service, where she spoke about the Christian principle of forgiving enemies and opponents. Trump had also spoken at the service.

He then asked whether Trump could forgive his enemies, including former FBI Director James Comey and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, if forgiveness were the only condition for entering paradise. “I found them to be extremely dishonest people, very bad people, very bad for our country,” Trump replied. “I love our country far more than I can love people like that.”

When Douthat asked whether that meant his answer was no, Trump confirmed it. “The answer is no. I want to be honest, no,” Trump said. “I probably cannot do that because I do hate some of my enemies, and I always will.”

Douthat challenged that position, pointing to what he described as Trump’s remarkable life and asking whether, after everything he had experienced, he still couldn’t find a way to forgive his opponents. “I mean, it’s such an easy answer. All I have to do is say, ‘Yes, I can,'” Trump said, before adding, “I probably cannot do that, no, because I do hate some of my enemies and I always will.”

Trump’s Previous Comments About Heaven and Religion

Trump has previously linked his political efforts and religious beliefs to his hopes of reaching heaven. During an August 2025 phone interview with Fox & Friends, he suggested that helping broker peace in Ukraine could improve his chances of going to heaven. “I want to try and get to heaven if possible. I’m hearing I’m not doing well,” Trump said during that interview.

The 60 Minutes interview was Trump’s first extended sit-down since Democrats won control of both the House and Senate in the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The conversation covered several issues, including the Iran war, the U.S. economy, immigration and the Republican Party’s political future. Near the end, Douthat asked how Trump wanted his presidency to be remembered 100 years from now. Trump replied: “That I made America great again.”

Douthat directly connected Trump’s survival of assassination attempts to his views on mortality. “You have survived multiple assassination attempts,” Douthat said. Trump responded, “I have.” Douthat then noted, “One came very, very close to you. I imagine that that had some kind of effect on how you think about mortality.” Trump replied, “Yeah.”