Former President Donald Trump once again found himself at the center of controversy after making audacious claims during an interview with television personality Dr. Phil in Las Vegas. In an exchange that has since garnered widespread attention, Trump asserted that he would have won California—a state known for its strong Democratic leanings—if none other than Jesus Christ had been responsible for counting the votes. This bold statement was just one of many made by Trump during the hour-long interview, where he also suggested that “God’s hand” had intervened to save him from an assassination attempt just a month prior.

Trump’s claim regarding California is rooted in his ongoing distrust of the mail-in ballot system, a sentiment he has voiced repeatedly since his loss in the 2020 presidential election. During the interview, Trump expressed his belief that he could have won California—a state that has not voted for a Republican president since 1988—if the vote counting had been handled by an “honest” figure like Jesus Christ.

“Democrats play a different game. And you have ballot harvesting, but you also have people getting ballots,” Trump said. “I mean, in California, you have people getting seven ballots. I guarantee, if Jesus Christ came down and was the vote counter, I would win California, OK?”

Trump’s statement reflects his deep-seated skepticism of California’s voting system, particularly the widespread use of mail-in ballots. He further emphasized this point by stating, “It’s a very dishonest state. Everything is mail-in. They send out 38 million ballots, I think it is.” However, there is no evidence to support Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud in California or that the state’s voting system is inherently dishonest.

Dr. Phil, visibly taken aback by Trump’s assertion, questioned the former president’s confidence in his claim. “You think so?” Dr. Phil asked to which Trump confidently replied, “Oh, I think so. I do. I see it. I go around California; they have Trump signs all over the place.”

Trump’s remarks were met with skepticism from political analysts and commentators, many of whom pointed out the improbability of his claim. California, a state with a large and diverse population, has consistently favored Democratic candidates in presidential elections for decades. The state’s electoral votes have been a crucial component of the Democratic Party’s strategy in national elections, making Trump’s assertion particularly far-fetched.

During the interview, Trump also addressed the assassination attempt he survived at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a month earlier. The former president suggested that divine intervention played a role in saving his life, allowing him to continue his mission to “save America.”

“It was God’s hand that saved me,” Trump declared, attributing his survival to a higher power. This statement aligns with Trump’s frequent references to his faith and his belief that he has a divine purpose in leading the country.

Trump’s remarks come at a time when he is facing significant legal challenges. Special Counsel Jack Smith recently filed a reworked indictment against Trump, accusing him of efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. This legal battle is unfolding in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that granted broad presidential immunity, adding another layer of complexity to Trump’s ongoing legal woes.

Additionally, Trump’s comments about divine intervention may resonate with his base, particularly among evangelical voters who have supported him despite his often controversial rhetoric. However, his statements are likely to alienate further those who view his claims as outlandish or disconnected from reality.