White House faith advisor Paula White-Cain is facing intense backlash after she compared President Donald Trump to Jesus Christ during an Easter event for evangelical leaders on Wednesday.
Addressing a private gathering at the White House, the televangelist drew direct parallels between the 79-year-old president’s political challenges and the biblical account of the Passion of Christ. White-Cain told the audience that both figures had been “betrayed, arrested, and falsely accused.”
Paula White compares Trump to Jesus during event with faith leaders: “You were betrayed and arrested and falsely accused. It’s a familiar pattern that our Lord and Savior showed us. Because of His resurrection, you rose up.” pic.twitter.com/Ddc8hflU34
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 1, 2026
She stated, “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.”
Further noting, “You were betrayed and arrested and falsely accused. It’s a familiar pattern that our Lord and Savior showed us. But it didn’t end there for him, and it didn’t end there for you. God always had a plan. On the third day, he rose, he defeated evil, he conquered death, hell, and the grave. And because he rose, we all know that we can rise. And sir, because of his resurrection, you rose up.”
She added, “And I believe that the Lord said to tell you this because of his victory, you will be victorious in all you put your hands to.”
The remarks, which received a standing ovation from attendees, sparked immediate condemnation from religious groups and critics online who labeled the comparison “shameful.”
One user criticized the comparison, highlighting the POTUS’s mention in the Epstein files. The user wrote, “So, by the same token, the Gospel is the Epstein files? And no, you CAN’T say I am disrespectful, because THEY started it with that shameful comparison with Jesus. I am just following along.”
Another noted, “crucify him then.”
One netizen added, “Difficult to watch such demented s–t. Everyone clapping along like manic zealots. Resemblance to a crowd at a North Korean public event. Clapping as if their lives depend on it. F–k me, the lack of self awareness of how mental this looks.”
Nonetheless, White-Cain, who has served as Trump’s spiritual counselor since 2002, is no stranger to public scrutiny regarding her ministry’s financial practices. In March 2026, she faced criticism for urging followers to donate 10% of their income to support ministry projects in Israel.
Trump’s personal spiritual adviser, Paula White Cain, has urged her followers to donate 10 percent of their gross income to support her ministry and its causes—including funding projects in Israel. pic.twitter.com/2QgoQSjhjU
— Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) March 30, 2026
In February 2026, she drew criticism for requesting “sacrificial seeds” of $1000 from conference attendees. Lastly, in 2019, she was named the special advisor to the Faith and Opportunity Initiative within the White House Office of Public Liaison.
White-Cain previously made history in 2017 as the first female clergy member to deliver the invocation at a presidential inauguration. The White House has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the online reaction to Wednesday’s event.
