Donald Trump’s personal spiritual adviser has sparked backlash after comparing the billionaire president’s life to that of Jesus Christ’s, during an Easter lunch event at the White House.
Paula White‑Cain, a televangelist who has served as Trump’s spiritual adviser across both his presidencies, used her Wednesday address to draw parallels between the legal battles and assassination attempts he has faced and the trials endured by Christ.
With the president standing behind her, and to whom she turned to address personally, White-Cain said: “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.
“You were betrayed and arrested and falsely accused. It’s a familiar pattern that our lord and savior showed us,” she said.
The White House deleted video footage of an hour-long Easter event at which, among other things, President Donald Trump was compared to the resurrected subject of the lunch, Nazareth man Jesus Christ.
On Wednesday’s White House schedule, the event was noted as not open to the press or the public:
12:30 PM — THE PRESIDENT participates in an Easter Lunch — East Room — Closed Press
In fact, a pool report featuring the guest list confirmed the event was still closed minutes before it began:
From: Nikki Schwab
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2026, 1:22 PM
Subject: In-town pool report No. 6 – lunch lid/Easter Lunch guest listWe have a lunch lid until 2 p.m.
The Easter Lunch remained closed press – but the White House confirmed some attendees, previously reported by Fox News.
They include:
Reverend Franklin Graham
Bishop Robert Barron
Pastor Paula White
Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth
Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin
Attorney General Pam Bondi
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner
Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler
Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought
White House press secretary Karoline LeavittErika Kirk was also “expected” to attend, per Fox.
The event will feature a choral performance from the Free Chapel Choir, featuring Pastor Jentezen Franklin on the saxophone