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Mother Jones Daily Newsletter
 
 

April 17, 2026

Was that lightning in the distance? A clap of thunder booming over the White House?

Probably not. But if Donald Trump's pope-fighting instincts have you stressing out about eternal damnation or pondering the president's chances for hell as he insults the pope, you're not alone. 

I don't mean to be flippant. Well, at least not entirely. But these are objectively strange times, and Trump is the oldest president in US history. And it's in his twilight years that he appears unnervingly OK engaging in morally questionable behavior: war, blasphemy, and pope fights.

So, does hell exist? If so, is that where this man is headed? Is there anything he can do to reverse course? I talked to a religious historian to find out—and got some eye-opening responses. 

Let me know what you think, too.

—Inae Oh

P.S. Today is the final day of our Spring Membership Drive! Right now, we’re only about halfway to our goal of 1,000—which makes today an incredibly important day for us. Newsletter readers like you have built a solid foundation this week. Can you pitch in and help us reach our goal? Power more independent journalism. Make a gift now.

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Is Donald Trump Going to Hell?

A religious historian discusses the afterlife, blasphemy, and what Scripture might have to say about our pope-insulting president.

BY INAE OH

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