Faith in Question: More Americans View Trump as Not Religious

WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 16, 2026 – A striking and growing majority of Americans perceive President Donald Trump as a man of little to no personal faith, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. The report reveals that seven-in-ten U.S. adults now say the president is “not too or not at all religious,” a significant 8-percentage-point increase since the question was last asked in the fall of 2024.

The findings, which capture a notable shift in public opinion across partisan and demographic lines, were gathered just before a series of new religious-themed controversies involving the President, including a public criticism of Pope Leo XIV and a social media post depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure. These events suggest the perceptions captured in the survey may only intensify.

While only 5% of Americans view Trump as “very religious,” the data underscores a complex relationship between the President and the faith communities that have been pivotal to his political career. Even as a majority of his own party and key religious supporters do not see him as deeply pious, many continue to believe he is a champion for their values.

A Widening Perception Gap

The Pew survey, conducted from April 6-12, 2026, highlights a stark partisan divide in perceptions of Trump's religiosity. An overwhelming 89% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say the president is not too or not at all religious. Perhaps more telling is the view within his own party: nearly half of all Republicans and Republican-leaners (49%) share that sentiment.

While Republicans are far more likely than Democrats to say Trump is “somewhat religious” (42% vs. 8%), very few in his corner are willing to describe him as devout. Only 8% of Republicans and just 5% of White evangelical Protestants—a cornerstone of his political base—say they believe Trump is “very religious.”

One of the most dramatic shifts occurred among Hispanic Catholics. In the fall of 2024, 60% of this group viewed Trump as not particularly religious. Today, that figure has soared to 80%, marking a 20-point jump that represents the largest change among any religious group surveyed. This suggests a significant erosion of perceived religious connection within a crucial and growing electorate.

Controversies Fueling Skepticism

The timing of the survey’s release is particularly potent, landing just as the President engaged in actions that placed his relationship with religious faith under a global microscope. Immediately after the survey period concluded, Trump launched a public critique of Pope Leo XIV on social media, labeling the pontiff “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” following the Pope's calls for peace in Iran.

This was followed by an even more provocative social media post on April 13, when Trump shared an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Christ-like figure with glowing hands, seemingly healing a sick man. The post triggered a swift and widespread backlash, with numerous conservative Christian commentators decrying it as “blasphemous” and “disgusting.”

Approximately 13 hours later, the President deleted the image, claiming it was misinterpreted by the “fake news” and was intended to show him as a doctor or aid worker. However, he followed up days later with another AI-generated image, this time showing Jesus embracing him, challenging his critics by stating, “The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!!” These incidents, occurring after the poll was conducted, are likely to reinforce and possibly accelerate the trend of public skepticism regarding his personal faith.

The Paradox of a Political Alliance

This evolving perception stands in contrast to the powerful and durable alliance Trump has forged with religious conservatives, particularly White evangelicals. This group has been instrumental to his political success, with over 80% voting for him in 2016 and subsequent elections. His rise coincided with a dramatic shift within the evangelical community itself; a 2016 study found that 72% of White evangelicals believed a leader’s private immoral acts could be separated from their public duties, a stark reversal from just 30% in 2011.

Trump has actively cultivated this support with messianic rhetoric and imagery. He has referred to himself as “the chosen one” and prominently featured a video at his rallies titled “God Made Trump,” which frames his existence in divine terms. He has described his political movement as a “righteous crusade” against secular and leftist forces, resonating deeply with Christian nationalist elements of his base.

However, data from earlier in his second term had already hinted at a “subtle but significant cooling” of this support. A January 2026 survey noted a drop in White evangelical approval of his job performance from 78% to 69% over the previous year, alongside a 15-point decline in confidence in his ethical conduct. The new Pew data suggests this cooling trend is not only continuing but expanding to the broader public.

Electoral Tremors on the Horizon

The political implications of this shifting landscape are significant. While the core of Trump’s evangelical base may remain loyal, any erosion of enthusiasm or turnout could have major consequences in tight races. The dramatic shift among Hispanic Catholics, in particular, signals a potential vulnerability. This demographic has also shown declining approval for Trump's policies, especially his administration's immigration crackdown, and a shift of even a few percentage points among Catholic voters could prove decisive in future elections.

The disconnect between the President’s actions and the public’s perception of his piety raises fundamental questions for his political strategy. For years, Trump has benefited from the unwavering support of voters who saw him not as a paragon of faith, but as a transactional fighter for their religious and cultural priorities. The latest data suggests that for a growing number of Americans, including some within his own coalition, the president’s actions and rhetoric are making it increasingly difficult to maintain that view. As these trends continue to unfold, the once-unbreakable bond between Trump's political persona and a specific brand of American faith appears more complex and contested than ever before.