Trump's Controversial Easter Message Sparks Backlash

First Baptist Dallas pastor defends president's 'salty language' amid threats from Iran

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:23am

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A cinematic painting of a solitary American flag hanging from a government building, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a somber, nostalgic mood that reflects the political unease surrounding the former president's controversial holiday message.The former president's combative Easter message underscores the ongoing political tensions and divisions in the country.Dallas Today

Former President Donald Trump's Easter message on social media, which included threats and expletives directed at Iran, has sparked backlash and criticism. However, First Baptist Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress has defended Trump's language, stating that 'presidents sometimes have salty language' and that the caricatures of the president as erratic are not true.

Why it matters

Trump's combative tone on a religious holiday raises concerns about his ability to de-escalate tensions with Iran, which has threatened to retaliate against any attacks. The incident also highlights the close relationship between Trump and evangelical leaders like Jeffress, who have continued to support the former president despite his controversial behavior.

The details

In his Easter message, Trump threatened Iran, referring to Tuesday as 'Power Plant Day and Bridge day, all wrapped up in one.' The message included expletives, which some found inappropriate for a Christian holiday. Jeffress, who has been a close ally of Trump, defended the former president's language, saying that 'every president we've had, Republican or Democrat, has had salty language.' The Iranian government has responded to Trump's message, with a spokesman saying Iran's reaction would be 'one of reciprocating any such attack.'

  • Trump posted his controversial Easter message on social media on April 7, 2026.
  • Jeffress said he met with Trump a couple of days after the war with Iran started.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, known for his combative rhetoric and close relationship with evangelical leaders like Robert Jeffress.

Robert Jeffress

The senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas, a megachurch in Texas, and a staunch supporter of Donald Trump.

Esmail Baghaei

The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, who responded to Trump's Easter message by saying Iran's reaction would be 'one of reciprocating any such attack.'

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What they’re saying

“If President Trump were a third-grade Sunday school teacher in our church, that might be a problem, but he's not a third-grade Sunday school teacher. He's the president of the United States, and presidents sometimes have salty language. Every president we've had, Republican or Democrat, has had salty language.”

— Robert Jeffress, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Dallas

“Iran's reaction would be one of reciprocating any such attack.”

— Esmail Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman

What’s next

The First Baptist Dallas congregation is currently raising funds to build a new $130 million sanctuary, which is expected to be completed by Easter 2028.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, as well as the close relationship between President Trump and evangelical leaders like Robert Jeffress, who have continued to defend the former president's controversial behavior. It also raises questions about the appropriate tone and language for a president, especially on religious holidays.