Christian communities have expressed their displeasure after former President Donald Trump made a fleeting comment about heaven during a wedding at Mar-a-Lago, only to swiftly move on from the subject.

The controversy began with a brief video clip shared by Eric Metaxas, a known conservative Christian author and speaker. The footage captured a short interaction between Metaxas and Trump, who made an unscheduled appearance at a wedding held at the prestigious Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

“Last night, at my friend Mike Wilkerson’s wedding at Mar-a-Lago, the President made a surprise visit,” Metaxas, 62, posted on X on Saturday.

Mike Wilkerson, 48, is the founder of the Redemption Group Network, an organization dedicated to helping churches expand their ministries.

In the clip, Trump is seen greeting the newlyweds, though the exchange with Metaxas quickly became the focal point of attention.

Keeping his gaze on the groom, Trump pointed to the Christian radio host and said: ‘This is the guy who’s going to get you to heaven.’ 

‘I want to talk to him about getting to heaven,’ Metaxas confidently replied while shaking the president’s hand and pointing back at him. 

While the rest of the conversation cannot be heard clearly in the video, Metaxas described what transpired in his divisive post. 

Metaxas turned his attention to Trump, noting: ‘I’d really like to talk to you about that… but another time.’  

Trump greeted Eric Metaxas at the Friday wedding. During the exchange, Trump said that Metaxas would get him into heaven

President Donald Trump, pictured on Air Force One on his way to Mar-a-Lago on Friday, has been accused of dodging a discussion about the gospel

‘Then I reminded him, “Don’t forget – you’re America’s Supercentennial President,”‘ he continued. 

The term Super Centennial refers to the fact that Trump will be president for the 250th anniversary of the US, which will be celebrated on July 4, 2026.  

‘Truthfully, I would love to have that conversation with [Trump] one day,’ Metaxas went on, ‘But this wasn’t the place.’ 

While Metaxas noted that someone’s wedding was not the appropriate place for an in-depth discussion about Christianity’s message, devout critics begged to differ. 

‘I think any place is the appropriate place to share the gospel,’ one X user reacted in disappointment. 

The term ‘the gospel’ refers to the religion’s overarching sentiment, while there are four religious holy texts in the New Testament called The Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. 

‘I’m sorry – did you just say you wanted to share the gospel with the president of the United States, but this wasn’t the place? Are you for real, right now?’ another asked. 

‘Imagine when you stand in front of Christ at the judgement and say this to Him.’ 

Another user sarcastically wrote: ‘Yeah, a wedding reception is MUCH more important than his salvation. It’ll keep.’

‘He’s actually heard the gospel 100 times. I fear he has chosen to reject the truth!’ someone wrote of Trump.  

Metaxas, left, has been a vocal supporter of Trump, right, and now serves on the Religious Liberty Commission

The exchange caused outrage among Christians online

Other users reacted to Trump saying that Metaxas is going to get him into heaven. One wrote: ‘Jesus is the only one who can get you to heaven.’

Trump, who was raised in the Presbyterian faith but declared in 2020 that he considers himself a nondenominational Christian, told reporters last month that he may never walk through the gates of heaven. 

On board Air Force One in October, Trump addressed comments he had made in August about his efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

He said he was motivated to arrange such a deal so he could end up in heaven in his afterlife. 

‘I’m being a little cute,’ Trump said, referencing his previous comments. ‘I don’t think there’s anything going to get me in heaven.

‘I really don’t. I think I’m not maybe heaven-bound. I may be in heaven right now as we fly on Air Force One.’

Metaxas has been a vocal proponent of Trump and the MAGA movement in recent years. 

In May, Trump announced the creation of a new Religious Liberty Commission, and Metaxas serves as one of its members. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to Metaxas and the White House for comment.