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Portrait of Paula White

Photo: Kamau360 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in United States · Nationality American — Religion / sects / ideologues

Paula White

Religion, sects and spiritual movements

Documented profile covering 7 controversies, including “Easter 2026: Comparison between Trump's ordeals and Christ's Passion” and “Leadership of White House Faith Office and criticism of politicisation of her ministry”.

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Profile No. 2322 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Paula White

Photo: Kamau360 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
7Documented controversies+ 1 background event
11Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

2026-04

Easter 2026: Comparison between Trump's ordeals and Christ's Passion

No legal proceedings

At a White House Easter luncheon, White compared Donald Trump's ordeals with those of Jesus, notably saying he had been 'betrayed, arrested and falsely accused' in a pattern familiar from Christ and that he too had 'risen'. The remarks prompted intense religious and political debate.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    ANSATrump tradito come Gesù, bufera sulla consigliera spirituale del tycoonNews agencyVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    The IndependentTrump’s spiritual advisor sparks backlash for comparing his life to Jesus ChristPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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02

2025

Leadership of White House Faith Office and criticism of politicisation of her ministry

No legal proceedings

Donald Trump appointed Paula White-Cain to lead the White House Faith Office. Her longstanding closeness to Trump, background as a prosperity-gospel televangelist and the office's role in connecting religious leaders with the White House prompted criticism of religious politicisation and the boundary between pastoral ministry and public office.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Christianity TodayFrom Prosperity Televangelism to the White HousePressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The White HousePresident Trump Announces Appointments to the White House Faith OfficeOfficial documentPrimary source

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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03

2025-03

Passover 2025: 'Seven supernatural blessings' and appeal for donations

No legal proceedings

White claimed that observing Passover could 'unlock' seven supernatural blessings and linked these promises to an offering to her ministry. Christianity Today published a detailed criticism of this interpretation of Exodus 23 and the accompanying financial solicitation.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Christianity TodayPaula White Gets Passover WrongPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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04

2020-01

Prayer for 'satanic pregnancies' to miscarry

No legal proceedings

In a sermon, Paula White prayed that 'satanic pregnancies' and plans conceived in 'satanic wombs' would symbolically miscarry. The viral excerpt was widely interpreted as a literal call for miscarriages, prompting a strong public reaction.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Washington PostTrump’s spiritual adviser called for “all satanic pregnancies to miscarry.” It was a metaphor, she says.PressVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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05

2017

Call to donate up to one month's salary as 'first fruits'

No legal proceedings

In early 2017, Paula White invited followers to 'sow' a month's, week's or day's salary as a 'first fruits' offering, linking the act to the spiritual harvest hoped for that year. The appeal renewed criticism of prosperity gospel and the boundary between religious promises and financial solicitation.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Christianity TodayThe Story Behind Trump’s Controversial Prayer PartnerPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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06

2007-2011

Senate Finance Committee investigation into Without Walls and Paula White Ministries

Investigation

The Senate Finance Committee examined the finances of Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries, including remuneration, luxury assets, transactions with associates and use of tax-exempt resources. Committee staff considered responses by organisations linked to Paula White incomplete.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    U.S. Senate Committee on FinanceGrassley Releases Review of Tax Issues Raised by Media-based MinistriesParliamentary recordPrimary source
  2. [2]
    U.S. Senate Committee on FinanceMinority Staff Review of Without Walls International Church / Paula White MinistriesOfficial documentPrimary source

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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07

1995-2007

$170 000 loan from elderly widow and late repayment

No legal proceedings

Media reported that Paula and Randy White had borrowed 170 000 dollars from Ruth McGinnis in 1995 for a house deposit and that the loan remained unpaid in May 2007, although the property had been sold in 2006.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Spouse

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Deseret News / Associated PressMegachurch pastors put marriage asunderNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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II. Documented background

Documented biographical or institutional milestones (elections, appointments, foundings, acquisitions…). These are not controversies and are not counted as such.

  1. 2020-11

    Election prayer proclaiming Trump's victory and invoking 'angels from Africa'

    During the counting of votes in the 2020 presidential election, White led a lengthy prayer declaring that she could hear victory and invoking 'angels from Africa' and South America coming to support Donald Trump. Joe Biden ultimately won the election.

    Sources · 1
    1. The Independent — The Lord says it is done: Paula White prays for angels from Africa to cement Trump’s re-election

III. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)
  1. Benny Hinn3 documented references
  2. Donald Trump2 documented references

IV. Has something changed?

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