Donald Trump has sparked debate after appearing to liken himself to Jesus Christ during a White House Easter lunch.
During the annual gathering on Wednesday, April 1, Trump spoke to guests about the Palm Sunday story. He then suggested he related to one of the titles some people associate with Jesus.
“On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem as crowds welcomed him with praise honoring him as king,” Trump explained in a now deleted clip that has been removed from the White House website. “They call me king now. Can you believe it?”
Pastor Paula White-Cain, Trump’s spiritual adviser and the head of the White House Faith Office, also referenced similarities between Trump’s experience and the Christian figurehead.
“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. “But it didn’t end there for him, and it didn’t end there for you.”
She continued her remarks by pointing to the resurrection story and cast it as a message of triumph.
“God always had a plan. On the third day, he rose, he defeated evil, he conquered death, hell and the grave. Because he rose we all know we can rise, and, sir, because of his resurrection you rose up,” she added. “Because he was victorious, you were 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 hand to.”
Although the lunch centered on Easter themes, Trump also used part of his speech to touch on his political path and recent frustrations.
He specifically referenced complications involving his proposed $400million White House ballroom renovations, suggesting that being called ‘king’ doesn’t mean he can automatically get projects approved.
“No kings. I’m such a king, I can’t get a ballroom approved,” he said as people laughed again. “It’s pretty amazing, right? If I was a king, we’d be doing a lot more.”
Trump had previously been moving toward plans to reconstruct the East Wing after having it torn down to begin work on what he described as a ‘much needed’ ballroom.
However, reports later indicated the military intended to construct a bunker-like facility beneath the site—plans that have since been put on hold following a federal judge’s intervention.
“The military is building a big complex under the ballroom, which has come out recently because of a stupid lawsuit that was filed,”he revealed last month. “But the military is building a massive complex under the ballroom, and that’s under construction. And we’re doing very well. So we’re ahead of schedule.”
On March 31, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ordered the project temporarily paused, stating that the president is ‘the steward of the White House,’ but not ‘the owner’, and implying the proposed changes went too far.
Trump rejected that characterization and posted a response on Truth Social shortly after the decision became public.
“The National Trust for Historic Preservation sues me for a Ballroom that is under budget, ahead of schedule, being built at no cost to the Taxpayer, and will be the finest Building of its kind anywhere in the World. Doesn’t make much sense, does it?”