Trump's Easter lunch draws backlash over Jesus comparison; White House deletes video

Statements made at President Donald Trump's Easter lunch event on Wednesday have infuriated many religious Americans, with some accusing "blasphemy" and "heresy". While the President used his speech to mock European leaders, offer legal advice to Erika Kirk, and take a dig at the 'No Kings' protests, it was his spiritual advisor, televangelist Paula White‑Cain's remarks that became the center of online criticism. The private closed-door event was attended by President Trump's close allies, including Kirk, Secretary Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi. 

"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," White-Cain said after recalling the lessons of Jesus, who "showed us great leadership, great transformation requires great sacrifice." The televangelist, who had recently courted controversy for declaring the White House "holy ground" and suggesting that opposition to the President was "demonic", then went on to compare the President's struggles with Jesus Christ's life. 

"It's a familiar pattern that our Lord and Savior showed us," White-Cain said, "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…, and because he rose, we all know that we can rise. And sir, because of his resurrection, you rose up…I believe that the Lord said to tell you this. Because of his victory, you will be victorious in all you put your hand to."

The video, shared by the White House on YouTube and its Website, immediately gained virality, with many criticising White-Cain. Rev. Benjamin Cremer, a pastor and theologian, called White-Cain's statements blasphemy. "This is blasphemy. This is what it sounds like to take Jesus' name in vain," he wrote on X, sharing the video. Writer and podcaster Ben Fowlkes took a sly dig at the President as he shared the video. "This just in: That guy from the Epstein files is Jesus basically," he wrote. 

Meanwhile, Trump, during his speech, quickly transitioned from Jesus to himself, after mentioning the word "king", and lamented his inability to do as much as a king could. "On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem, as crowds welcomed him with craze, honoring him as King. They call me king now, do you believe it?" Trump said, adding, "No king. I'm such a king, I can't get a ballroom approved. Pretty amazing right, I'm a king. If I was a king, would be doing a lot more—I'm doing a lot, but I could be doing a lot more if I was a king." Trump's ballroom plans faced a legal setback after a court ordered a halt to the construction of the $400 million project, ruling that the President is the "steward" of the White House and not its "owner."

President Trump also took a dig at his European allies, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. "I call up France, Macron – whose wife treats him extremely badly... Still recovering from the right to the jaw," Trump said of his French counterpart. The White House has reportedly taken down the video of the full event. It is unclear whether the video was posted intentionally and later deleted, or put up accidentally, The Independent reported.