Televangelist Paula White, who leads President Trump’s new White House Faith Office, compared the President to Jesus Christ during an event with faith leaders at the White House on Wednesday. White told Trump: “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.” She added, “Because He was victorious, you were victorious.”
U.S. Roman Catholic priest Fr. James Martin responded to White’s comparison by writing: “Asking God, in a public prayer, to help a political leader make wise decisions, care for the poor, seek peace, foster harmony, and try to include all those who feel excluded? Yes. Comparing a political leader, in a public prayer, to the sinless Son of God during Holy Week? No.”
Asking God, in a public prayer, to help a political leader make wise decisions, care for the poor, seek peace, foster harmony, and try to include all those who feel excluded? Yes. Comparing a political leader, in a public prayer, to the sinless Son of God during Holy Week? No. https://t.co/wyTm6CKsGu
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) April 2, 2026
Standing adjacent to White and applauding during the event was Catholic Bishop Robert Barron, who has served as bishop of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester in Minnesota since 2022.
In May, Barron joined White on the Trump administration’s newly created Religious Liberty Commission, which was formed to report on the state of religious liberty in the United States. Former Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan and television personality Dr. Phil McGraw also serve on the Commission, among other Trump appointees.
As seen below, Barron circulated his own video outside of the White House and reported: “Grateful to have been invited to the White House this afternoon for a luncheon with religious leaders, where I offered an Easter prayer. Even in the halls of power, the hope of the Resurrection is proclaimed.”
Grateful to have been invited to the White House this afternoon for a luncheon with religious leaders, where I offered an Easter prayer. Even in the halls of power, the hope of the Resurrection is proclaimed. pic.twitter.com/pVAIJZJFoM
— Bishop Robert Barron (@BishopBarron) April 1, 2026
WSJ’s Editor-at-Large Gerard Baker replied to Barron: “You demeaned yourself and stained the holy office you hold by participating in that exercise in blasphemy, looking on approvingly as a grifting con-artist hailed Trump as Christ-like. In Holy Week! I pray you spend the Triduum reflecting on this infamy and how you can atone.”
You demeaned yourself and stained the holy office you hold by participating in that exercise in blasphemy, looking on approvingly as a grifting con-artist hailed Trump as Christ-like. In Holy Week! I pray you spend the Triduum reflecting on this infamy and how you can atone. https://t.co/2YMmS3AYZM
— Gerard Baker (@gerardtbaker) April 2, 2026
In a sermon on Palm Sunday, Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, said: “Jesus does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war. He rejects them, saying ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood.’”
This is aimed directly at you Trump.
Pope Leo:
“Jesus does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war. He rejects them, saying: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood.’” pic.twitter.com/AseQdhoNHK
— Marlene Robertson
(@marlene4719) March 29, 2026
