Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article included a quote attributed to Heather Cox Richardson that, upon review, could not be substantiated as authentically from her. That paragraph has been removed.
Four days after his faith adviser compared him in suffering to Jesus, President Donald Trump spent Easter Sunday threatening Iran in a profane Truth Social post.
At 8:03 a.m. Eastern time, Trump posted: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Evangelical Christian leaders had spent Holy Week lauding Trump as God’s chosen man to lead the United States and the world and some — like White House Faith Adviser Paula White — went so far as to compare Trump to Jesus in suffering and arrest and persecution and resurrection.
Evangelist Franklin Graham and others went out of their way to share Easter-themed comments published with Trump’s name — all further evidence, they said, the president is a true man of God.
Then Trump unloaded on the morning of Christianity’s highest holy day with a rant that left even some supporters stunned.
Those bold enough to criticize the president publicly were not only Democrats but also Republicans who have parted ways with Trump.
Former GOP Congressman Joe Walsh said: “His Easter morning post. And just 2 days ago, one of his ‘religious advisors’ compared him to Jesus Christ. He will forever be a stain on this country. And the world. 25th Amendment. Now. And to everyone else who, unlike Trump, understands & celebrates today — Happy Easter.”
Former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Trump ally turned critic, wrote on X that everyone in the Trump administration who claims to be a Christian needs to “beg forgiveness from God” and intervene in the president’s “madness.”
“I know all of you and him and he has gone insane, and all of you are complicit. I’m not defending Iran but let’s be honest about all of this. The Strait is closed because the U.S. and Israel started the unprovoked war against Iran based on the same nuclear lies they’ve been telling for decades, that any moment Iran would develop a nuclear weapon. You know who has nuclear weapons? Israel. They are more than capable of defending themselves without the U.S. having to fight their wars, kill innocent people and children, and pay for it. Trump threatening to bomb power plants and bridges hurts the Iranian people, the very people Trump claimed he was freeing.”
Trump’s closest allies in politics and religion said nothing about his Easter morning post.
Others, however, were quick to point out the insult to Christianity from the president so loved by evangelicals.
“Trump’s profane and violent rant on Christianity’s holiest day while insulting Muslims around the world shows this administration’s utter disdain for religion. We condemn it while wishing all who celebrate Easter a joyful holiday,” said Paul Raushenbush of Interfaith Alliance.
Agnes Callamard, who leads Amnesty International, wrote: “Running out of language to denounce and condemn. Iranian Civilians will be the first to suffer from the destruction of power plants and bridges. No heat, no electricity, no water, no capacity to move or to flee, and all that it means for their right to life. A revolting statement.”
In contrast to Trump, two of the world’s most recognizable Christian leaders used Easter messages to call for an end to the war in Iran.
In his first Easter Mass at the Vatican, Pope Leo urged: “Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace!”
And in her first Easter as archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally used her Easter sermon to call for an end to “violence and destruction” in the Middle East.
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