Washington, D.C. — In a Sunday night announcement that shocked political allies, opponents, and foreign governments, President Donald Trump declared that he has converted to Islam. He said the decision was influenced in part by his unusually warm Oval Office meeting last week with New York City Mayor elect Zohran Mamdani.
The November twenty first meeting between Trump and Mamdani had already drawn attention for its unexpectedly cordial tone. Trump praised Mamdani as “a very rational person” and said he felt “very comfortable” about the future of New York under his leadership. Mamdani described the conversation as “productive” and focused on affordability issues facing ordinary New Yorkers.
Trump announced what he called “a tremendous spiritual decision” from the White House diplomatic reception room.
“I have been thinking a lot since that meeting. Thinking deeply, maybe more than people think I can. I learned things about prayer and strength. I have decided to embrace Islam. I am proud of it. I think it will be beautiful for me, for the country, for everybody. We are going to make it something great, believe me.”
The declaration triggered a torrent of responses.
Senator Chuck Schumer told reporters in Manhattan, “American history does not prepare you for anything like this. I hope the President is sincere, but sincerity is not something we can assume.”
Senator Ted Cruz told a Houston radio station, “Religious liberty is fundamental. But there will be serious questions inside the conservative movement.”
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene erupted in fury during a livestream outside her home in Rome Georgia.
“This is the final betrayal. The absolute final. I supported this man through everything. And now he joins a religion that hates America. What happened in that meeting with Mamdani. Maybe they hypnotized him. This is not the Trump people voted for. If he thinks the Republican Party will bow to Sharia or whatever he thinks he signed up for, he is wrong. Embarrassing. Disgraceful. And the base will not stand for it.”
Mamdani responded with careful diplomacy when asked about the situation.
“I did not see this coming,” he said. “Our meeting was about rent, groceries, and electricity bills. If the President experienced a spiritual transformation, that is his story to tell.”
Foreign reaction was swift. President Erdogan of Turkey said, “We welcome any man who opens his heart to Islam.” A senior official in Saudi Arabia told Reuters that the Kingdom had “no idea what to make of this yet.”
Cable networks scrambled to adjust. Rachel Maddow opened her show by saying, “This is a top story that defies normal narration.” Sean Hannity told viewers, “We are working to understand the details. None of us expected this.”
Americans had mixed reactions. A retiree in Florida told USA Today, “If this is his faith now, good for him. I am not switching religions for anybody.” A student at Stanford said, “I doubt he is sincere, but if this means he stops attacking Muslims, that is a good thing.”
Inside the administration, aides were reportedly blindsided. One senior official estimated that multiple cabinet secretaries learned the news at the same moment the public did.
The White House scheduled a Monday press briefing where press secretary Kendall Adams is expected to address the President’s new religious identity and its consequences for foreign and domestic policy.
Closing his remarks, Trump said:
“This is a new chapter. Maybe the best chapter. People will say it is surprising. And it is. But it will also be strong. Very strong.”
Whether Americans will agree remains to be seen.