Paula White Likens Trump to Jesus at White House Easter Lunch

President Donald Trump hosted an Easter lunch at the White House on April 1, 2026, where his spiritual adviser Paula White compared the president's political challenges to the experiences of Jesus Christ, drawing widespread criticism from religious leaders and commentators. The event, attended by more than 100 evangelical and Catholic faith leaders in the East Room, was intended to celebrate religious liberty during Holy Week but quickly sparked controversy after video footage was briefly posted online and then removed by the White House.

White, who serves as senior adviser to the White House Faith Office, addressed Trump directly during the gathering. She referenced his survival of an assassination attempt in 2024 and his legal battles, stating, "Mr. President, no one has paid the price like you have paid the price. It almost cost you your life. You were betrayed and arrested and falsely accused. It's a familiar pattern that our Lord and Savior showed us." She continued by linking Trump's resurgence to the resurrection narrative, saying, "On the third day, He rose... And sir, because of His resurrection you rose up. Because He was victorious, you are victorious." Trump stood...