President Donald Trump has sparked controversy within the Christian community after appointing televangelist Paula White to lead a newly established White House Faith Office.
While the administration praised White as a champion for religious freedom and humanitarian rights, many Christian leaders, including conservative evangelicals, have strongly criticised the decision.
White, a megachurch pastor from Florida, has long been associated with the prosperity gospel, a theological belief that links financial contributions to spiritual rewards.
Critics argue that her teachings exploit vulnerable believers by promising material blessings in exchange for donations, often suggesting specific sums over a thousand dollars.
Prominent Christian voices quickly condemned the appointment, arguing that White’s theology is at odds with biblical Christianity.
Accordin to the Mail Online, Christian speaker Scott Ross described the move as “an abomination”, stating on social media that she preaches the heresies of the Word of Faith and Prosperity Gospel, both utterly opposed to authentic Christianity. He also accused her of twisting the Gospel for profit, highlighting her multiple marriages and past controversies.
Conservative YouTuber Jon Root echoed these concerns, calling the appointment “the worst decision President Trump has made since taking office”, while Christian blogger Chris Hohnholz urged Trump to reconsider, warning that Paula White is a false teacher leading people away from biblical truth.
The criticism was not limited to theological concerns. Orthodox Christian leader John Mason, host of the Living God’s Truth podcast, warned that Trump’s decision demonstrated a lack of understanding of Christian doctrine, saying that even though President Trump is enforcing laws that align with Christian values, that doesn’t mean he has any clue what biblical Christianity is or why it matters.
He described White as a known heretic who has no regard for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
White’s relationship with Trump dates back to 2002, when he reached out to her after watching one of her sermons on television. She later served as his spiritual advisor during his first term in office and chaired his Evangelical Advisory Board.
In 2017, White attempted to distance herself from the prosperity gospel, stating she rejects any theology that does not affirm the role of suffering in faith.
However, critics point to past statements and fundraising tactics that seem to contradict this.
In a 2016 Easter sermon, White urged her congregation to donate a specific amount of money based on a Bible verse from John 11:44, telling them that someone watching was being spoken to by God and needed to sow $1,144 (£921.72) as a demonstration of their faith.
She insisted that this request was divinely inspired, adding that when they sowed that specific amount, she believed for resurrection life.
The prosperity gospel has been widely rejected as unbiblical and heretical by Christian scholars and theologians, including Southern Baptist theologian Russell D. Moore, who described White as a charlatan and recognised her as a heretic by every orthodox Christian, of whatever tribe.
Despite the backlash, the White House defended White’s appointment, calling her a “fighter for religious freedom”.