President Donald Trump’s significant phone call with over 10,000 faith leaders was nearly postponed due to AT&T’s technical difficulties, leading the President to publicly criticize the telecommunications company on social media. During the event, Trump championed the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ labeling it as the most pro-family legislation in recent history. The call included representatives from various faiths, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, alongside White House officials. Trump highlighted his administration’s efforts in protecting religious freedom, such as reinstating military personnel who were dismissed for religious reasons and establishing a DOJ task force to combat anti-Christian bias. He also mentioned the U.S. military’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities as a strategic move to restore global stability.
The phone call with faith leaders, which was part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to align his administration’s policies with religious values, faced technical hurdles that reportedly delayed the event. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to vent his frustration with AT&T, stating that their equipment was ‘unable to make their equipment work properly.’ This issue arose on multiple occasions, prompting Trump to suggest that AT&T’s leadership should be involved in resolving the problem. Despite the setback, the call proceeded, with Trump expressing gratitude for the participation of tens of thousands of faith leaders.
Throughout the call, Trump emphasized the importance of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ as a comprehensive measure to support American families. He outlined several provisions of the bill, including expanding the Child Tax Credit and establishing ‘Trump Accounts’ for newborn children. These accounts, according to Trump, would provide newborns with a stronger start in life. He encouraged faith leaders to rally support for the bill within their communities and to reach out to their members of Congress.
The event was joined by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, faith director of the White House Faith Office Jenny Korn, and advisor Paula White. The presence of these officials underscores the administration’s commitment to engaging with religious leaders to shape policy. Trump’s address followed the U.S. military’s surprise attacks on Iran, which he framed as a critical action to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program. The operation, known as ‘Midnight Hammer,’ occurred after months of stalled negotiations and heightened concerns over Iran’s nuclear advancements.
Trump’s remarks during the call also touched on his administration’s efforts to resolve international conflicts, including the recent peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He highlighted these achievements as part of a broader strategy to foster global stability and restore American influence. Trump’s emphasis on religious liberty was evident as he recounted his administration’s actions, such as pardoning pro-life activists who were imprisoned for peaceful protest and reinstating service members dismissed over religious objections to the Biden vaccine mandates.
Despite the technical challenges with AT&T, Trump’s address to the faith leaders was framed as a success, with the administration maintaining its focus on religious values, national security, and legislative action. The call served as a platform for Trump to reiterate his administration’s policies and to mobilize faith leaders in support of key legislative initiatives. The event reflected the administration’s strategy of leveraging religious support to advance its agenda, while also managing the logistical and technical challenges that arise during such large-scale communications.