President Donald Trump, during a White House Easter Lunch, joked that people “call me king now,” sparking laughs from the guests stationed there as he spoke about Palm Sunday and Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. This comment came during a private gathering with allies and faith leaders, which later became public when the White House briefly shared a video of the speech online before taking it down.
According to People, Trump told those present, “On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem as crowds welcomed him with praise honoring him as king.”
He then added with a smile, “They call me king now. Can you believe it?” Reuters also reported that Trump said, “I’m such a king I can’t get a ballroom approved… I could be doing a lot more if I was a king,” while expressing frustration about challenges to his proposed White House ballroom project.
Trump: On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem as crowds welcomed him with praise honoring him as king. They call me king now. Can you believe it? pic.twitter.com/3BdPA7zQ54
— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) April 1, 2026
The ballroom comment referred to Trump’s long-standing effort to create a new event space in the White House. People reported that Trump announced his plans in July 2025 to remodel the East Wing for a ballroom, but a federal judge halted the project on March 31, stating that the President is “the steward of the White House,” not “the owner.”
Reuters listed the planning dispute as one of several challenges Trump has mentioned recently, alongside court issues and stalled legislative goals. The Easter Lunch was not open to the travel press pool. Reuters reported that the remarks only came to light after the White House briefly posted the video and then deleted it. However, clips from the event have been shared online.
The news agency described the speech as open and casual, unlike Trump’s more formal televised address later that evening on the Iran war. Reuters noted that this off-the-cuff event revealed President discussing the limitations he faces domestically and internationally.
The event also included comments from Paula White-Cain, Trump’s spiritual adviser and head of the White House Faith Office. People reported that White-Cain likened Trump’s personal and political challenges to the suffering of Jesus, telling him, “You were betrayed and arrested and falsely accused,” before adding that “it didn’t end there for him, and it didn’t end there for you.”
She continued by telling Trump that because of Christ’s victory, “you will be victorious in all you put your hand to.”
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
Trump’s “king” remark came just days after anti-Trump protests happened in cities nationwide under the “No Kings” banner, according to Reuters. During the Easter Lunch, Trump seemed to refer to that slogan directly, saying, “No kings,” before turning the phrase into a joke about his difficulties in getting the ballroom approved.
Reuters pointed out that this moment showed how Trump’s spontaneous remarks offer insight into his frustrations amid court battles, legislative delays, and the war with Iran during his second term.
The Easter Lunch comments took place during a week when Trump was also publicly discussing the costs of the Iran conflict and the domestic trade-offs he said it was creating. Reuters noted that at the same event, Trump remarked that the federal government could not address costs like child care while also prioritizing military defense.
