Trump jokes he’d like to be next pope: ‘Number one choice’
President Trump Marks 100 days, what's next?
President Donald Trump on Tuesday celebrated the 100th day of his second term, highlighting his accomplishments while also taking jabs at past president, Joe Biden. Political Analyst, Rich Rubino looks ahead to President's next 100 days in office.
DETROIT - President Donald Trump joked Tuesday that he’d "like to be pope" while departing Michigan, where he was a holding a rally to celebrate his 100 days back in the Oval Office.
The president was asked by reporters who he thinks should ascend to the role following Pope Francis’ death – and he jokingly mentioned himself.
Trump says he’d like to be pope
What He Said:
"I'd like to be pope," he joked to reporters. "That'd be my number one choice."
Trump followed up the comment by saying he didn’t really have a preference but said that there’s a cardinal from New York he thinks could handle the job.
President Trump talks with reporters before he departs for late afternoon day trip to Detroit from the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, DC on April 29, 2025. (Credit: John McDonnell/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
"No, I don't know. I don't have a preference. I might say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who is very good. So we'll see what happens," Trump continued, referring to Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
Though unlikely to become pope, Dolan is one of 10 U.S. cardinals who will be voting for Francis' successor.
Sen. Lindsey Graham jokingly endorses Trump to be pope
What they're saying:
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) jokingly asked the conclave to "keep an open mind" about making Trump the next pope.
"I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope. This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility!" Graham said Tuesday in a post on X.
RELATED: President Trump's 100-day scorecard
He added: The first Pope-U.S. President combination has many upsides. Watching for white smoke…. Trump MMXXVIII!
But, can Trump run for president again?
The backstory:
Trump's remarks came as he departed for Macomb County, Michigan, which is located near Detroit, to celebrate his 100th day back in the Oval Office.
Trump has ended each of his three presidential campaigns with rallies in the battleground state of Michigan, including capping off his successful 2024 campaign in Grand Rapids.
His comments also come as Trump, as well as his supporters, suggest he run for a third term.
What He Said:
Less than a month ago, Trump said he was "not joking" about trying to serve again once his current term was up.
During an interview with NBC in late March, Trump toyed with the idea of having Vice President JD Vance run for the top job and "then pass the baton" back to him.
RELATED: ‘Trump 2028’ hats selling on president’s online store
"Well, that’s one," Trump responded. "But there are others too. There are others."
"Trump 2028" hats are also now selling on the Trump Store website.
How new pope is chosen
Dig deeper:
Pope Francis died Easter Monday at the age of 88 amid ongoing health issues.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended the funeral Mass Saturday at the Vatican, where the president also held a private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
What's next:
The Vatican will hold a papal conclave in May, which will gather the church's cardinals to elect the next pope.
RELATED: How is a new pope chosen? All about the conclave
Each cardinal writes his choice on a piece of paper and drops off their twice-folded ballot in a large chalice one by one, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website.
Cardinals must be under 80 years old to cast a vote for a new pope.
Four rounds of balloting take place every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote.
The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. FOX News, TMZ, and previous FOX Local reporting contributed.