Paula White, a spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump, continues to be a source of division within the MAGA movement.
The controversial preacher of the so-called prosperity gospel has garnered side-eyes and allegations of heresy from some right-wing Christians ever since she was tapped to lead the White House Faith Office.
White also has come under fire from conservatives, including Tucker Carlson, amid speculation about her involvement in MAGA influencer Carrie Prejean Boller’s recent removal from Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission. Boller’s ouster has fueled backlash toward the commission — and a member’s resignation as well.
White is facing rebuke, yet again, from liberals and conservatives alike after comparing Trump to Jesus during an event the president hosted with faith leaders.
“You were betrayed and arrested and falsely accused — it’s a familiar pattern that our Lord and Savior showed us,” she said, adding: “But it didn’t end there for him, and it didn’t end there for you. … And sir, because of his resurrection, you rose up. Because he was victorious, you were victorious.”
Paula White compares Trump to Jesus during event with faith leaders: “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.” pic.twitter.com/Ddc8hflU34
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 1, 2026
The backlash on the left (like this) was to be expected, given liberals’ typical aversion to Trump idolatry. The MAGA fury, though, was, and is, arguably more noteworthy. It’s also potentially indicative of the president’s declining support of late, even among staunch conservatives.
At minimum, the responses, some of which were quite cutting and more than a little sexist, speak to the growing disunity in the conservative faith community.
Check out a sampling of the responses below:
Trump’s chief spiritual advisor Paula White teaches today that Trump was falsely accused and resurrected…like Jesus Christ.
This is insanity. https://t.co/eT0EVamcNS
— Dr Taylor Marshall™️ (@TaylorRMarshall) April 2, 2026
I have a high tolerance for praise but nothing like standing by as a heretic con artist who preys on the poorest, dumbest and most desperate people in America repeatedly compares me to Jesus Christ. God isn’t the only one using Donald Trump, is he, you vapid old hag. https://t.co/EzmCEWoWMW
— MILO (@Nero) April 1, 2026
We got a group of men up there who don’t believe in having a woman in the pulpit taking orders from a woman in the pulpit twisting scripture in front of them, and they applaud. But did you hear about that Bible verse John Piper tweeted? https://t.co/mcUbSDELOi
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) April 2, 2026
Whether or not anyone wants to be honest with themselves, the fact is that this kind of display, had it unfolded with a Democrat president, would elicit days of rage and condemnation from self-appointed spokesmen of conservative, complementarian Christianity. https://t.co/wsdstZbOTI
— Shane Morris (@GShaneMorris) April 2, 2026
Ja’han Jones is an MS NOW opinion blogger. He previously wrote The ReidOut Blog.