Trump made the remarks during an interview with correspondent Ross Douthat on CBS News’ 60 Minutes programme on Sunday, November 8, 2026, where he was asked whether he believed he would make it to Heaven.
“I hope so,” Trump responded. “I don’t want to go to hell.”
The conversation later turned to comments Trump made at the funeral of slain conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, where he reportedly declared that he hated his opponents and did not wish them well.
Douthat reminded the president of the statement and asked whether he could find it in his heart to forgive individuals he had publicly criticised, including former FBI Director James Comey and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
The interviewer suggested that forgiveness and love were necessary to enter paradise and asked Trump whether he could extend those feelings to people he had expressed hatred towards over the years.
In response, Trump described the individuals mentioned as “extremely dishonest people” and “very bad people” who, according to him, had harmed the country.
When Douthat pressed him for a direct answer on whether he would forgive them, Trump replied, “The answer is no. I want to be honest.”
The interviewer subsequently asked whether Trump was prepared to withhold forgiveness from those he believed had wronged him when standing before God’s judgment.
The president maintained his position, insisting that his political opponents had acted badly.
“Before the judgment, no. I think they were very bad people,” he said.
Trump also cited his legal battles, including his indictments and two impeachments, as reasons for his resentment towards some political opponents.
“I do hate some of my enemies. I think they’ve been terrible. Look what they’ve put me through, the weaponisation. I got indicted. I got impeached,” he said.
Douthat further questioned how someone who had enjoyed what he described as one of the most remarkable and privileged lives of any American in his lifetime could struggle to forgive his adversaries.
However, Trump remained firm in his position, saying he did not believe he could forgive some of his enemies.
“I probably cannot do that, no, because I do hate some of my enemies and I always will,” he said.
