Nearly six thousand people have signed a petition started by Christian organization Faithful America denouncing President-elect Donald Trump's reported "pay-to-pray" plan to take place ahead of inauguration.
Newsweek has reached out to Faithful America and the Trump-Vance Inaugural committee for comment and confirmation via email on Friday evening.
Why It Matters
Trump has garnered significant support among evangelical and conservative Christians, with the Associated Press reporting that about 8 in 10 white evangelicals supported him in 2020 and in 2024.
However, there are many progressive Christians who have pushed back on Trump's policies and rhetoric.
What To Know
In its January 16 petition, Faithful America, a group of Christians advocating for social justice who have vocally spoken out against Trump called the reported prayer plan "a stunning example of the far right's corruption of the Christian faith. And we refuse to be silent about it."
In December, Axios reported that a donation package for people who gave or raised between $100,000 and $2 million provides access to a "One America, One Light Sunday Service," with Trump and Melania Trump. Several reports have labeled this a "pay-to-pray" initiative. Last month, the Hill reported it would be "an interfaith service featuring U.S. military bands."
There is no public information regarding the service on the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee's website.
The petition, which had 5,984 signatures toward its goal of 10,000 as of Friday evening, reads: "We can't stop Trump from turning worship into a commodity to line his own pockets. And we know his false prophets like Franklin Graham and Lance Wallnau won't say a word about Trump's unholy grift (spoiler alert: because they're complicit in it). But we CAN speak out against this gross degradation of our faith -- and make sure our fellow Christians hear."
A separate religious service that is not affiliated with the reported "pay-to-pray" plan will take place on Monday at St. John's Church, as noted on the Trump-Vance Inaugural website and confirmed by the Church to Newsweek.
In keeping with presidential tradition, St. John's Church, located across from the White House will host the service. St. John's Reverend John Fisher confirmed to Newsweek in a phone call Friday evening that the church's service aligns with its long tradition of hosting services ahead of presidential inaugurations dating back to 1933.
Fisher wrote in an email to his congregation on Monday that the service provides the incoming president, "a time of calm and quiet reflection before God, ahead of the large and very public events that will occupy the rest of the inauguration day."
What People Are Saying
Faithful America wrote in a statement to the media posted on their website: "As Christians, we reject the abhorrent pay-to-pray scheme that Donald Trump is reportedly planning during his inauguration celebration—charging prominent political donors $100,000 to $200,000 a ticket to worship with him.
Jesus clearly condemned the unholy merging of commerce and worship when he flipped over tables at the Temple and drove out the money lenders. This isn't a worship service intended to glorify God—it's a service to glorify Trump and the power he represents to his wealthiest allies.
We denounce this disgusting act of idolatry and the false prophets and religious-right leaders who are supporting or enabling it."
Karli Wallace Thompson, digital campaigns director of Faithful America, told Newsweek in an email on Friday evening: "President-elect Trump's pay-to-pray scheme is an outrageous mockery of Christian faith and values. Jesus drove the money changers from the Temple, condemning the blending of commerce and worship, and yet Trump is reportedly charging up to $200,000 for political donors to pray with him. This is not worship; it's idolatry. Christians must stand united in rejecting this gross exploitation of our faith for personal and political gain."
President-elect Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday: "I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather."
What Happens Next
Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president on Monday in Washington, D.C. Freezing temperatures expected in the capital have altered the inaugural weekend schedule and location.
Update 1/17/2025: This article has been updated for clarity.
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