A speaker at a prayer event on the National Mall has claimed that God “raised up” President Donald Trump to build a ballroom at the White House. Eric Metaxas, a Christian author and ardent Trump supporter, made the remarks during the Rededicate 250: National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving, held to commemorate the 250th anniversary of US independence.
Metaxas referenced the War of 1812, when British forces set fire to Washington, D.C., including the White House, which at that time lacked a ballroom. “It's hard to believe that it would take two centuries for the Lord to raise up a great man to bring that ballroom finally to stand where it needs to stand,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
The proposed White House ballroom has been a focal point of Trump’s second term, sparking controversy and legal challenges. Trump has said the ballroom would cost $400 million and be funded by private donors, but Republicans attempted to include $1 billion for security provisions in a spending bill. The Senate Parliamentarian ruled that the spending violated budget reconciliation rules.
The event featured themes of Christian nationalism, with speakers equating America to a Christian nation despite the First Amendment’s prohibition on establishing a national religion. Trump delivered a video address reciting from 2 Chronicles, while Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called for prayer, referencing George Washington. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said America was “shaped by this Christian idea.”
Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, decried what he called America’s moral decline, citing “transgenderism, same-sex marriage, opening women's locker rooms to men” as evidence. The event drew criticism for its blending of religion and politics.
