Donald Trump returned to the Washington Hilton, the site of an assassination attempt earlier this year, to address the Faith & Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority event. Speaking to the group of evangelical Christians, Trump disavowed the growth of communism in the U.S. and asserted that he could hypothetically be the "greatest communist in history."
The Washington Hilton was the venue for the White House Correspondents' Dinner in April, where a gunman breached security, leading to a firefight and the president's evacuation. "We're going to have a more pleasant experience" this time, Trump remarked, referencing his previous visit to the hotel.
Trump warned the assembled Christians about the perceived rise of socialism and communism in the United States, stating, "All communists are Godless." He claimed that communists target religion, particularly Christians, asserting they "will close your churches ... they will kill your people."
During his address, Trump made the statement, "I think I'd be the greatest communist in history," and suggested such a leader would provide housing and food for free. The crowd responded with cheers and laughter. He also posted on social media prior to his speech, writing that "all communist countries attack religions violently."
The president's remarks also touched on political developments, including the electoral success of Democratic socialist candidates in New York. He specifically mentioned New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed Democratic socialist, predicting that the city's skyscrapers would eventually resemble "ghettos seen in the third world."
Trump highlighted actions taken during his administration to counter anti-Christian discrimination, including a Department of Justice task force and a Department of Education directive to protect prayer in schools. He also reiterated his administration's stances on issues such as banning transgender athletes from women's sports, prohibiting transgender surgeries for minors, and codifying the concept of two genders. Additionally, he referenced efforts to combat Islamist terrorists in Africa who have persecuted Christian communities, particularly in Nigeria.
The Faith & Freedom Coalition is an evangelical Christian organization that has supported Trump for over a decade, and he has spoken at their annual conference numerous times.