Paula White-Cain made the comparison while speaking at the annual Easter egg roll, where Trump was addressing reporters outside the White House. She stated that Jesus taught lessons through his death, burial and resurrection, showing great leadership and that great transformation requires great sacrifice. White-Cain added that no one has paid the price like Trump has paid the price, and it almost cost him his life. She said Trump was betrayed and arrested and falsely accused, in a familiar pattern that Jesus showed. White-Cain concluded that it didn’t end there for Jesus or Trump, and God always had a plan: on the third day, Jesus rose, defeated evil, and conquered death, hell and the grave, and because he rose, we all can rise, and because of his resurrection, Trump rose up. Trump responded with a simple 'Thank you.' The specific legal battles and assassination attempts White-Cain referred to in her comparison have not been detailed.
White-Cain has been a key part of the Trump administration's efforts to retain evangelical votes. She was first officially appointed to the White House in 2019 as a religious advisor under the Office of Public Liaison. She has been in contact with Trump since 2002 and was selected to speak at his inauguration in 2017. Her role has positioned her as a central figure in Trump's religious outreach, though she has routinely been at the centre of controversies.
Jesus taught so many lessons through his death, burial and resurrection. He showed us great leadership, great transformation requires great sacrifice.
Trump himself has made religious-themed comments recently. According to GB News - Politics, Trump described the UK as having 'a long way to go to resurrect like Jesus.' The full context and audience reaction to this comment remain unclear. Additionally, major media reports suggest Trump has become a multi-billionaire partly through cryptocurrency deals during his time as president, though this claim is not independently verified.
The comparison of Trump to Jesus has sparked backlash on social media. Catholic theologian Rich Raho posted on X that the comparison is blasphemous. The identity of the US Bishop mentioned by Raho has not been confirmed. Political strategist Jeff Timmer called Paula White-Cain and others 'freaks, liars, charlatans, grifters, criminals – anything but Christians.' Other social media users echoed these sentiments, with one unnamed X user saying they find White-Cain completely sacrilegious and offensive on every possible level, and Syed Zada commenting that if every leader who faced backlash started claiming a messianic arc, history would look like a Sunday school parody, and turning faith into a campaign prop at a White House lunch isn’t divine but theatrical. How widespread the backlash is beyond social media posts is unknown.
And Mr President, no one has paid the price like you have paid the price. It almost cost you your life.
White-Cain's history of controversy adds to the scrutiny of her remarks. She has routinely been at the centre of controversies. The White House or Trump administration has not issued an official response regarding her comments, leaving unanswered questions about the event's implications and any potential disciplinary actions.
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.
Because he was victorious, you are victorious. 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.
No one has paid such a high price as you.
Thank you.
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.
As a Catholic, I find this woman completely sacrilegious and offensive on every possible level.
Freaks, liars, charlatans, grifters, criminals – anything but Christians. All of them.
Donald Trump has told GB News the UK 'has a long way to go to resurrect like Jesus.'