Donald Trump's personal spiritual adviser, Paula White-Cain, has provoked backlash after comparing the president's life to that of Jesus Christ during an Easter lunch at the White House. The televangelist, who has served as Trump's spiritual adviser across both his presidencies, drew parallels between the legal battles and assassination attempts he has faced and the trials endured by Christ.
Speaking with the president standing behind her, White-Cain said: “Jesus taught so many lessons through his death, burial and resurrection. He showed us great leadership, great transformation requires great sacrifice. And Mr President, no one has paid the price like you have paid the price. It almost cost you your life.” She added: “You were betrayed and arrested and falsely accused. It’s a familiar pattern that our lord and savior showed us.”
The comparison has been branded “insanity” on social media. Catholic theologian Rich Raho posted on X: “Blasphemous. It’s stunning to see a US Bishop standing right there on the stage while Paula White compares Trump to Jesus Christ.” Another user, Syed Zada, said: “If every leader who faced backlash started claiming a messianic arc, history would look like a Sunday school parody. Faith is sacred. Turning it into a campaign prop at a White House lunch isn’t divine. It’s theatrical.”
White-Cain was first appointed to the White House in 2019 as a religious advisor under the Office of Public Liaison, but has been in contact with Trump since 2002. She has become a key part of the administration's efforts to retain evangelical votes and spoke at the president's 2017 inauguration. However, she has been at the centre of previous controversies, including a 2020 sermon calling on Jesus to “command all satanic pregnancies to miscarry” and declaring the White House “holy ground”.
