United States President Donald Trump has made it clear that he refuses to pardon his political adversaries, asserting that he would rather forfeit his place in the afterlife than extend forgiveness to individuals he considers detrimental to the nation. The remarks were made during an interview broadcast on Sunday, November 8, 2026, on the CBS news program 60 Minutes.
Speaking with correspondent Ross Douthat, the American leader was questioned about his prospects of entering the afterlife. Responding to the inquiry, Trump remarked that he hoped to secure a place in paradise, noting plainly that he had no desire to end up in hell.
The conversation subsequently shifted to remarks Trump had previously delivered during the memorial service for slain conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, where he had openly declared an aversion toward his opponents and a lack of goodwill toward them.
Douthat pressed the president further, asking whether he could bring himself to feel affection and grant forgiveness to prominent figures such as former FBI Director James Comey and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, alongside others he has frequently criticized. When asked directly if he could achieve this, Trump characterized those individuals as deeply dishonest and harmful to the country.
When the interviewer sought confirmation that his response was a definitive negative, Trump answered in the affirmative, emphasizing his commitment to candor. Prompted about withholding pardon before the divine judgment throne, Trump doubled down on his position, pointing to the legal challenges, indictments, and impeachments he faced as the basis for his lingering resentment.
"I do hate some of my enemies. I think they’ve been terrible. Look what they’ve put me through, the weaponization. I got indicted. I got impeached," Trump stated during the broadcast. Despite being challenged by the journalist over his reluctance to let go of grievances, the president insisted that his stance remains unshakeable.