In a recent interview with the Corriere della Sera, German Cardinal Gerhard Müller, former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, expressed his support for U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he unequivocally prefers to Joe Biden, despite the latter being presented as Catholic. According to the prelate, "better a good Protestant than a bad Catholic," a straightforward declaration that summarizes his position.
Cardinal Müller states that many cardinals and bishops share his view, although most choose not to express it publicly. In the United States, he specifies, this tendency would be even more pronounced, with a majority of prelates favorable to Trump. This inclination was notably manifested during the 2020 elections, where 56% of American Catholics voted for the Republican candidate, representing a 15-point increase compared to 2016.
Meetings with Conservative Figures
The cardinal also revealed having met on several occasions with influential personalities from the American conservative camp. In 2022, he met with Donald Trump at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, and shared a souvenir photo from that meeting. Furthermore, he confirmed having discussed with the current Vice President J.D. Vance in the residence of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York.
Müller also mentioned a meeting, a few years ago, with Brian Burch, president of the organization Catholic Vote and the new U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. Catholic Vote played a decisive role in mobilizing Catholic voters in favor of Trump, particularly in key states.
An Alliance Founded on Common Values
For Cardinal Müller, support for Trump is explained above all by the defense of principles he deems essential. "Trump will help the Church because he embodies the values of natural law: the inviolability of life, the importance of marriage, and religious freedom," he declared. He also praised the Republican president's vision on the role of the state, advocating for a model where the government "does not meddle in every aspect of life."
On the migration issue, the cardinal nuanced his remarks, acknowledging that Trump's policy has often been criticized within the Church. "If he expels criminals, it is justified. On the other hand, if he expels people simply because they are foreigners, it is not," he specified.
The remarks of Cardinal Müller are not isolated. They reflect a broader trend among American Catholics, who see in Trump a defender of traditional and religious values. This alliance, although surprising to some, is rooted in a shared vision of society and the place of faith in the public square.