Christian Commentators Voice Outrage Over Spiritual Adviser’s Easter Lunch Remark Comparing Trump to Jesus

An Easter lunch held at the White House is prompting fierce backlash from Christians after an adviser to the White House faith office, televangelist Paula White, compared President Trump’s life to that of Jesus Christ.On Wednesday, Ms. White made a connection between the criminal charges against Mr. Trump and the Biblical account of the crucifixion of Jesus, just days ahead of the holiest day of the year for Christians. “Jesus taught so many lessons through his death, burial, and resurrection. He showed us great leadership, great transformation requires great sacrifice,” she said with the president standing directly behind her.“And, Mr. President, no one has paid the price like you have paid the price. It almost cost you your life. You were betrayed, 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.”She added, “Because of his resurrection, you rose up. Because he was victorious, you were victorious. … You will be victorious in all you put your hand to because God is with you and God is using you to defeat evil.”Several Christian commentators criticized the comment. “This is blasphemy,” one pastor, Benjamin Cremer, wrote on X. “This is what it sounds like to take Jesus’ name in vain.”“Blasphemous. It’s stunning to see a US Bishop standing right there on the stage while Paula White compares Trump to Jesus Christ,” wrote a Catholic theologian, Rich Raho.A conservative commentator, Shannon Joy, wrote that the comment was “insane.”“Trump’s chief spiritual advisor Paula White teaches today that Trump was falsely accused and resurrected … like Jesus Christ. This is insanity,” wrote Catholic commentator Taylor Marshall. The editor at large of the Jesuit magazine America Magazine, James Martin, wrote, “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.”The managing editor of the conservative outlet the Blaze, Rob Eno, wrote, “It takes a lot to get me to agree with Fr. Martin on much politically. This did it.”Other commentators pointed out flaws in the comparison. One user asked, “When was [Mr. Trump]arrested and beaten and nailed to a cross?”Amid the criticism, a video of the remarks appears to have been removed from the White House’s YouTube page. A Google search for the event returns a WhiteHouse.gov link with the title, “President Trump Participates in an Easter Lunch.” However, the website displays an error message that reads “Page Not Found.”The White House did not respond to a request from The New York Sun for comment by the time of publication.

Christian Commentators Voice Outrage Over Spiritual Adviser’s Easter Lunch Remark Comparing Trump to Jesus

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