Trump delivers Bible message at massive America 250 faith rally
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Top Trump administration officials, Republican lawmakers and prominent Christian leaders gathered on the National Mall on Sunday for a massive prayer rally celebrating America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
The event, called “Rededication of 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, and Thanksgiving,” drew thousands of people for worship music, speeches, and prayers focused on reaffirming that the United States is “One Nation Under God.”
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and House Speaker Mike Johnson, as well as numerous other political and religious figures, also spoke at the meeting.
In a pre-recorded message, Trump read from 2 Chronicles 7 and recited the well-known Bible verse urging people to “be humble” and seek God.
TRUMP CALLS AMERICANS TO PRAY FOR THE NATION AS HIS 250TH BIRTHDAY APPROACHES: ‘ONE NATION UNDER GOD’
Participants watch a pre-recorded video of President Donald Trump reading the Bible during “Rededicate 250” on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on May 17, 2026. (Matthew Hatcher/AFP via Getty Images)
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sins and will heal their land,” Trump said.
Vance described the United States as a “nation of prayer,” saying faith has shaped the country since its founding.
“In times of pain and triumph, millions of Americans continue to turn to prayer and faith in God,” Vance said.
Rubio similarly tied America’s identity to Christianity.
“From the beginning, we have held the belief that our country represents something new in the world,” Rubio said. “But the soul of our nation has always been based on an ancient faith.”
Gabbard called on Americans to humble themselves before God, saying the nation’s founders “kneeled” and “begged God’s mercy” before declaring independence.
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Johnson delivered a “rededication” prayer, thanking God for guiding the nation since its founding.
“Heavenly Father, we thank you,” Johnson said. “We thank you very much for this great day you have given us here, and we remember that your mighty hand has been on our nation from the very beginning.”
Hegseth cited the faith of George Washington, while Sen. Tim Scott, R.S.C., spoke of Christianity’s role in shaping the nation and argued that prayer was central to the Civil Rights Movement.
Alveda King, Martin Luther King Jr.’s niece, praised Trump for encouraging Americans to “rededicate America to God.”
“This nation was founded on godly principles,” Alveda King told Fox News, adding that Martin Luther King Jr. “spoke to a crowd like that in 1963.”
Actor Jonathan Roumie, who played Jesus in “The Chosen Ones,” also spoke at the event, encouraging Americans to recommit to faith and prayer.
FROM POLITICS TO HOLLYWOOD, NEARLY 500 WILL NOW READ THE BIBLE COVER TO UNDERSTAND AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY
House Speaker Mike Johnson prays during “Rededicate 250” on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on May 17, 2026. (Matthew Hatcher/AFP)
The event also featured performances by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Bishop Robert Barron, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, evangelist Franklin Graham, as well as Grammy-winning Christian artist Chris Tomlin.
Many attendees wore patriotic colors as they filled the National Mall.
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Freedom 250, the nonprofit organization behind the event, said the gathering is part of a broader effort leading to America’s sesquicentennial celebration on July 4, 2026.
Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
