Critics Mock Viral Oval Office Prayer Video of Trump

The controversial video has sparked debate over Trump's faith initiatives and personal legal battles.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A viral video of evangelical leaders praying over President Trump in the Oval Office has sparked controversy, with critics highlighting Trump's alleged connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and accusations of sexual misconduct. The video, filmed in March 2025, shows several faith leaders laying hands on Trump in prayer, led by Paula White-Cain, senior advisor to the White House Faith Office. While supporters praised Trump's commitment to faith, critics have mocked the event, using the phrase 'Praying Over P3dos?' to allude to 'pedos' or pedophiles, amid the ongoing Epstein saga.

Why it matters

The controversy over the Oval Office prayer video underlines the divide between Trump's faith-based initiatives and his personal legal battles, reflecting the polarized nature of U.S. politics. The mockery and criticism highlight the challenges of blending faith and governance, especially when there are allegations of misconduct against the president.

The details

The video, filmed during a meeting on March 18, 2025, shows evangelical leaders including Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, Pastor Robert Jeffress, and David Barton laying hands on President Trump in prayer. Rodriguez prayed for Trump, saying 'With gratitude and humility, we pray for President Trump. You assigned him, you appointed him, you anointed him for such a time as this'. The meeting followed an executive order in February 2025 to combat anti-Christian bias. Critics have questioned why these conservative Christian leaders joined Paula White, who has been described as a 'con artist cunning millions of elderly out of their money', in the prayer session.

  • The video was filmed on March 18, 2025.
  • The executive order to combat anti-Christian bias was issued on February 7, 2025.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who has faced allegations of sexual misconduct and connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Paula White-Cain

Senior advisor to the White House Faith Office, who led the prayer session in the Oval Office.

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez

A faith leader who participated in the Oval Office prayer session and described Trump as the most pro-faith president in his lifetime.

JD Vance

The current Vice President, who defended the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files.

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What they’re saying

“With gratitude and humility, we pray for President Trump. You assigned him, you appointed him, you anointed him for such a time as this.”

— Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, Faith Leader

“We're not shielding anything.”

— JD Vance, Vice President

What’s next

The White House has not commented on the latest wave of mockery surrounding the Oval Office prayer video, leaving the debate to unfold online.

The takeaway

The controversy over the Oval Office prayer video highlights the challenges of blending faith and governance in a polarized political climate, especially when there are allegations of misconduct against the president. The mockery and criticism underscore the divide between Trump's faith-based initiatives and his personal legal battles.