Our reporter
Donald Trump’s recent decision to appoint Paula White, his long-time spiritual advisor, to lead the newly re-established White House Faith Office has ignited a wave of criticism from prominent Christian leaders. The announcement, made through an executive order on Friday, has drawn sharp rebukes from many within the Christian community who accuse White of promoting a “heresy” and exploitative theology.
White, a televangelist and megachurch pastor from Florida, has long been a polarising figure in the Christian world. Critics have long contended that her teachings, particularly her embrace of the “prosperity gospel”—the belief that financial donations will be rewarded by God—are deeply problematic. In her sermons, White has advocated for followers to make substantial monetary donations, even suggesting specific sums, in order to receive God’s blessing. One notable example was a 2016 Easter service where White asked her congregation to donate exactly $1,144, linking the sum to a verse in the Gospel of John.
This approach has been fiercely criticised by theologians, many of whom regard such teachings as a dangerous distortion of Christian doctrine. Scott Ross, a well-known motivational speaker, condemned White’s appointment, labelling her as a “heretic” and accusing her of using the Bible for financial gain. “This is an abomination,” Ross wrote on social media. “Her teachings are not in line with authentic Christianity.”
Other Christian leaders echoed similar sentiments. John Mason, an Orthodox Christian podcast host, called White’s appointment “the worst and most dangerous decision” Trump could have made. He further argued that White has a history of “twisting the Gospel for profit” and has lived a life marred by scandal, having been married multiple times.
Despite the outcry, the Trump administration has defended White’s appointment, emphasising her role in advocating for religious freedom and humanitarian rights. A statement from the White House described her as a “fierce advocate for the voiceless” and someone “fighting for religious freedom.”
Trump, who has long been a vocal proponent of the rights of religious Americans, also announced the creation of a task force to tackle what he claims is anti-Christian bias within federal agencies. He has frequently voiced concerns that the federal government has been hostile towards Christians under the Biden administration, pointing to what he views as discriminatory policies and a growing cultural shift that undermines religious values.
The appointment has, however, sparked a sharp divide within Trump’s evangelical base. Some, like Chris Hohnholz, a popular Christian blogger, have urged Trump to reconsider, warning that White is “not biblically qualified to be a pastor” and accusing her of leading people astray. “This is a train wreck,” Hohnholz wrote, urging the president to “reverse course” on this decision.
Others have expressed concerns about the separation of church and state, questioning whether such appointments are consistent with the First Amendment’s provisions on religious freedom. While Trump has often positioned himself as a defender of Christian values, the constitutionality of these new moves remains a contentious issue.
White, for her part, has distanced herself from the prosperity gospel in recent years, stating in 2017 that she rejected any theology that “doesn’t affirm or acknowledge the entirety of scriptural teaching.” However, her critics remain unconvinced, pointing to her past actions and statements as evidence of her controversial views.
As Trump continues to shore up support among evangelical Christians—a crucial voting bloc for his political campaigns—the growing controversy surrounding White’s appointment may threaten to fracture this important alliance. With the 2024 election looming, the backlash could present an unwelcome distraction as Trump seeks to rally his religious supporters.
The president’s embrace of White, a figure often at odds with traditional Christian doctrine, signals his determination to appeal to his religious base, despite the risks posed by the growing controversy. It remains to be seen how the appointment will affect both the White House and Trump’s relationship with evangelical voters in the months ahead.
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