Donald Trump has confessed to being superstitious, revealing a surprising list of personal habits and rituals followed throughout his career.
While Donald Trump is known for his bold political moves and media presence, fewer people realize that the former U.S. president harbors a deeply superstitious side.
Although he’s kept most of his habits under wraps, certain moments have revealed his attachment to luck-based rituals and unusual personal beliefs over the years.
From election campaigns to everyday gestures, Trump’s behavior suggests he’s more than a little guided by superstition.
Donald Trump admits to superstitious habits in surprising revelation of personal rituals
Trump throws salt to prevent bad luck.
A classic superstition many recognize involves throwing salt over one’s shoulder after spilling it — a move meant to ward off bad luck.
During a visit to a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania just before the 2020 election, Trump openly performed this ritual.
After spilling some salt, he deliberately threw a pinch over his left shoulder twice. He joked with the staff about loving salt and admitted, “I’m very superstitious.”
Although light-hearted, the gesture offered a rare window into his belief system, which is steeped in old traditions.
Trump avoids April Fools by changing dates.
Another sign of Trump’s superstition is his wariness of April 1st, or April Fools’ Day.
At one point, he postponed a major policy announcement by a day to avoid having it land on the holiday. His reasoning? Concern that the timing would make it look like a prank.
At the White House, he explained: “I would have done them on April 1st — believe it or not. I’m a little superstitious.”
This kind of date-based decision-making reflects how even trivial associations can influence his approach to serious matters.
Trump followed strict routines during every election.
Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie, longtime Trump advisors, revealed in their book Let Trump Be Trump that the former president maintained a tight grip on his campaign rituals.
He reportedly avoided any form of pre-celebration, believing that preparing for a win could jinx the outcome. No victory speeches were written in advance for just in case.
Additionally, Trump called into Fox and Friends every Monday, treating it as a lucky charm.
He also kept his distance from individuals he labeled as unlucky, further reinforcing how superstition shaped his personal and professional conduct.
The president repeats Grand Rapids stops for campaign luck.
During both the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, Trump ended his rallies in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and again in 2024.
He told audiences he chose the location due to a sense of familiarity and good fortune tied to it.
“We were given a 3 percent chance,” he reminded the crowd in 2024, referring to the earlier unexpected win. “I said, ‘how the hell are we going to lose?’”
This consistency shows how, for Trump, replicating past successes wasn’t just strategy; it was also superstition at play.
Donald Trump touches the airplane before each flight departure.
For those paying close attention, Trump often touches the exterior of his plane before boarding.
While it might seem insignificant, it mirrors a common safety ritual many people perform, akin to knocking on wood or avoiding cracks in the pavement.
The gesture could be his way of symbolically ensuring safe travel.
While no official explanation has been given, the repeated action suggests a ritual rooted in personal comfort and long-held belief.
Donald Trump’s behaviors may seem peculiar, but they align with many common beliefs and habits found in everyday life.
Whether it’s throwing salt, sticking to “lucky” routines, or avoiding inauspicious days, his rituals reveal a man who, despite his larger-than-life image, relies on familiar comforts and traditions to guide his steps.
As unconventional as his presidency was, perhaps his superstitious nature just made him a little more human.