During remarks at Thursday's 74th annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump announced the official date of May 17, 2026, for "Rededicate 250," a national Jubilee of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.
Trump said:
To support this exciting renewal this morning, I am pleased to announce that on May 17, 2026 that we're inviting Americans from all across the country to come together on our National Mall to pray, to give thanks, and to — we are going to do something that everyone said, like, "That's tough." We're going to rededicate America as, "One Nation Under God"... You know, a lot of people...
The president was interrupted by the audience giving him a standing ovation with almost a minute of uproarious applause over this announcement. Earlier in his remarks, Trump alluded to the American spirit fueled by religious belief, which helped mold and shape the country. After the applause died down, Trump continued.
That's what I mean by, the spirit is so incredible to see it. I see it so much, I've never seen anything like it in one year. I thought it would take two years, three years, four years to be where we are. We've done it in really, 10 months. We're at 12, but now it's just getting to a level that we've never reached before in this country. But that includes religion, and maybe that's part of the reason why we're doing so well. There's such great spirit, it's all spirit. And it includes religion.
Trump encapsulated his thoughts with what many people of faith already know: what makes America great is its foundation and national fabric woven through faith.
I've always said, you just can't have a great country if you don't have religion. You have to believe in something. You have to believe that what we're doing, there's a reason for it. There has to be a reason for it. We're all working, and we're doing, we're behaving. I mean, I behave because I'm afraid not to [Looks up to the sky] because I don't want to get in trouble! [Laughter]
WATCH:
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump just DROPPED A BOMB at the National Prayer Breakfast:
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) February 5, 2026
“On May 17, we will re-dedicate America as ONE NATION UNDER GOD, right on the National Mall!”
The entire room ERUPTED in cheers!
GOD IS GOOD! pic.twitter.com/KZOB1c5P0e
Read More: Keep the Faith: A Refreshing Bit of News to Start 2026 on the Right Note
We Voted for This: Trump's Cabinet - One Year In
On January 29, Trump issued a proclamation in honor of America's 250th anniversary. Trump said that 2026 would be a " Year of Celebration and Rededication." He concluded this proclamation thusly:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim 2026 as a Year of Celebration and Rededication. I call on every American to reflect upon and celebrate the wisdom and deeds of the heroes of our Founding who made the miracle of America possible. I call on parents to teach their children about America’s inspiring history, heritage, and heroes. I invite the world to come to our shores to experience the splendor, warmth, and hospitality of America. And I encourage all Americans — including businesses, churches, families, and the military — to observe this year, reflecting on the blessings our Nation has received, with appropriate programs, ceremonies, concerts, celebrations, and activities in their homes, schools, work, communities, military bases, and houses of worship.
The Freedom 250 and Rededication 250 websites provide invitations to be a part of this unprecedented national event.
Rededication 250 alludes back to President Trump's remarks on July 3, 2025, in Iowa.
As we prepare to celebrate two and a half centuries of freedom, I am inviting America’s great religious communities to pray for our nation and for our people. From the beginning, this has always been a country sustained and strengthened by prayer. So important, if we bring religion back stronger, you’re going to see everything get better and better and better. You are going to see it get better and better. So, as we chart our course for the next 250 years, let us rededicate ourselves to one nation under God.
The site invites all Americans to prepare for the May 17th momentous occasion.
The Ask: What if one million Americans dedicated one hour a week to praying for our country and our people?
The Invitation: Will you join with at least 10 people to meet each week for one hour to pray for America?
The Opportunity: As we celebrate 250 years of freedom, this is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the principles that gave birth to this land of liberty. As George Washington famously said in his Farewell Address, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.”
President Trump's remarks, as well as this call to prayer and rededication, recognize the fact that a country is only as strong as its citizens. Prayer not only strengthens but unites people in a common aim, focus, and purpose, and acknowledges the hand of God in the superintendence of the affairs of our state.
The Marxists, leftists, and atheists/agnostics will lose their minds and scream about separation of church and state. However, from the response to this announcement, it is clear that Americans are hungry for meaning, purpose, and a focus beyond themselves to something greater. This event offers an opportunity for discovery, reacquaintance, and most importantly, rededication.
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