Trump Haters Defy God, President's 'Whisperer' Says

One of President Donald Trump’s spiritual advisors defended him on a television panel Tuesday by likening him to a well-known biblical figure.

Televangelist Pastor Paula White appeared Tuesday on The Jim Bakker Show, where she likened Donald Trump’s presidential victory to Esther becoming queen in the Bible. Her argument stemmed from the idea that both figures were unconventional candidates for the leadership roles that they obtained.

According to Jewish and Christian writings, Esther was a Jewish girl the Persian king chose to be his queen during a time Jews were being persecuted. As queen, she stopped a plan to kill all the Jewish people in Persia. Scripture reads that Esther was put in that position of power by God to save her people.

“They say about our president, ‘Well, he is not presidential.’ Thank goodness. And I mean that with all due respect. Because, in other words, he is not a polished politician,” White said. “In other words, he is authentically, whether people like it or not, has been raised up by God. God says he raises up and places all people in places of authority.”

“It is God who raises up a king. It is God that sets one down,” she continued. “When you fight against the plan of God, you are fighting against the will of God.”

White and Trump became acquainted in the early 2000s. She became known for her support of “prosperity gospel,” a line of thinking that states God provides increases in faith with increases in wealth. White was also one of the evangelical figures chosen to pray at Trump’s inauguration. She has been called Trump’s ‘God whisperer’ and provides advice to his administration.

"I know that Donald is saved," White said to NBC News in an interview. "He's absolutely — received Jesus Christ as his lord and savior."

On The Jim Bakker Show, White repeatedly said Trump was “anointed” by God and anyone who opposed his leadership was opposing God. She said everyone should pray for Trump, saying “darkness” cannot affect him because he “surrounds himself with Christians.”

“We are more impressed with a Saul anointing than a David anointing because we are more impressed with what looks right than what is right,” White said. “Therefore, we choose things that we think should sound right, should act right.”

Dennis Olson, a professor of Old Testament theology at the Princeton Theological Seminary, said he was confused by White’s statements. He said Esther and Trump are both unconventional figures to have obtained their leadership roles, but the parallels may end there.

“Esther’s story is one about protecting persecuted ethnic minorities,” he said to the Washington Post. “While the president has won support from white supremacist groups and seeks to crack down on immigration.”