(OPINION) Paula White-Cain, a prominent televangelist and spiritual advisor to President Donald Trump, has taken on a significant role as the senior advisor and director of the White House Faith Office.

In a recent interview with CBN News, she shared her perspective on Trump’s faith, her mission to protect religious liberty, and the challenges facing America.

This article explores her long-standing relationship with Trump, her convictions about her role, and her belief that America has faced significant spiritual and political trouble.

White-Cain’s connection with Trump spans over two decades, beginning in 2002 when he reached out after watching her televised sermons.

Their relationship deepened in 2011 when Trump, contemplating a presidential run, asked her to convene faith leaders to pray over his decision.

White-Cain recalls this moment as pivotal, noting that the collective prayer yielded a resounding “yes” for Trump’s candidacy.

She has since served as a spiritual confidante, praying with him regularly, including during key moments like his inauguration and policy decisions.

White-Cain describes Trump’s faith as personal and private, noting his shift from Presbyterianism to a nondenominational Christian identity.

She highlights his tenderness toward God, shaped by influences like televangelists Jimmy Swaggart and Bill Gaither.

Despite Trump’s limited public church attendance, White-Cain defends his faith, emphasizing his willingness to engage with faith leaders and incorporate prayer into his leadership.

Appointed to lead the White House Faith Office, established by Trump’s executive order in February 2025, White-Cain sees her role as a divine calling.

The office aims to strengthen faith-based organizations, promote family values, and protect religious liberty.

Working alongside Jennifer Korn, White-Cain has hosted over 1,000 diverse faith leaders for briefings, listening sessions, and policy discussions. She emphasizes inclusivity, inviting leaders regardless of political affiliation to ensure faith communities have a voice.

White-Cain’s leadership has transformed the White House into a space for open worship, exemplified by events like the April 25, 2025, gathering in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where pastors worshipped and prayed steps from the Oval Office.

She views these moments as a fulfillment of America’s founding principles, rooted in faith and the motto “In God We Trust.

White-Cain believes religious liberty is under threat, a concern she attributes to Americans’ “narrow tunnel vision” and reluctance to acknowledge encroaching restrictions.

She argues that politics permeates daily life, impacting schools, workplaces, and public spaces, and that ignoring these threats allows them to grow.

Her role involves sounding the alarm and advocating for policies to safeguard believers’ rights, in collaboration with Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias.

Despite these challenges, White-Cain is optimistic, citing Trump’s reelection as evidence of a public awakening.

She believes many Americans have reached an “enough is enough” moment, rejecting policies that undermine faith and freedom.

This sentiment, she argues, reflects a desire to restore godly principles to the nation.

White-Cain’s appointment has not been without controversy. Critics, including some conservative Christians, label her a “false teacher” due to her association with prosperity theology, which links faith to material wealth.

A 2011 Senate investigation into her former ministry, Without Walls International Church, raised concerns about misuse of tax-exempt funds, though no charges were filed.

More recently, her March 2025 Passover sermon, which appeared to tie donations to “supernatural blessings,” sparked backlash, with some accusing her of exploiting faith for financial gain.

White-Cain and her ministry have denied these claims, asserting that donations are voluntary and not tied to personal enrichment.

Additionally, her comments on gender roles, particularly her assertion that wives should “submit” to their husbands as part of “God’s order,” have drawn criticism for promoting outdated views.

White-Cain defends her stance, arguing it reflects biblical principles and complements her advocacy for male leadership in churches and households.

White-Cain firmly believes Trump’s survival of an assassination attempt was a divine act, stating, “God saved him.”

She attributes his resilience to supernatural protection and sees his leadership as part of a broader spiritual mission to restore America’s moral foundation.

This belief aligns with her sermons, which often frame Trump as anointed by God to combat anti-Christian bias and unify the nation.

Her perspective resonates with supporters who view Trump’s presidency as a response to America’s spiritual and political “trouble.”

White-Cain argues that the nation has drifted from its godly roots, facing challenges like censorship, cultural division, and eroding religious freedoms. She sees her role as a bridge to help heal these divides, fostering unity through faith.