After a group of conservative faith leaders prayed over President Donald Trump in the Oval Office Tuesday (March 19), some people criticized them for aligning themselves with Pastor Paula White, head of the White House Faith Office.
On Tuesday, the White House released a photo of Trump surrounded by praying faith leaders. Several are laying hands on the president, who’s seated behind his desk. Attendees included David Barton of WallBuilders, Gary Bauer of American Values, William Wolfe of the Center for Baptist Leadership, theologian Owen Strachan, and Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress.
The White House Faith Office and Faith Leaders from across the country joined President Trump to pray in the Oval Office. 🙏🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/aZnUwa9SXB
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 19, 2025
The National Faith Advisory Board shared that Alabama Pastor Travis Johnson “was one of our NFAB board members who prayed for the President in accordance to 1 Tim 2:1-4.” It added, “The White House faith office led by @Paula_White @JennySKorn [is] working daily for people of faith.”
On social media, an uproar ensued about male faith leaders associating with White, as well as with self-described Christian nationalists such as William Wolfe.
Critics Say Faith Leaders ‘Should Be Ashamed’
Paula White—senior pastor of City of Destiny Church in Apopka, Florida—is also Trump’s personal pastor. After Tuesday’s prayer session, the 58-year-old posted, “Such a GREAT DAY It’s an honor to serve @POTUS and people of faith!”
During the first Trump administration, White served as adviser for the president’s Faith and Opportunity Initiative. She’s been criticized for being a female pastor, for teaching the prosperity gospel, and for being on her third marriage.
After Tuesday’s prayer session and photo op, Arizona Pastor Gabriel Hughes posted, “Prayer led by Paula White? Never. Never, ever. Not without serious repentance, which would require her stepping down as a ‘pastor’ and rejecting her false prosperity theology.”
Oklahoma Pastor Nathaniel Jolly posted, “There is no circumstance that would get me to join in a prayer or any spiritual engagement led by Paula White. None. It would be indefensible as a faithful believer.”
On David Barton’s post about praying in the Oval Office, someone commented, “You should be ashamed to be standing with false prophet, deceiver, female pastor, Paula White.” Another asked, “What are Christian nationalists doing in the room with you David?”
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