US President Donald Trump has triggered controversy after making a remark that appeared to compare himself with Jesus Christ during a White House Easter gathering.
At the April 1 event, Trump spoke about Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem and was hailed as king. Drawing a parallel, he told attendees, "They call me king now. Can you believe it?"
The comment drew laughter, though the clip was later removed from official White House platforms.
He later added a lighter note, saying that despite being called a king, he still faces obstacles in governance. Referring to his proposed White House ballroom project, Trump said a real king would not struggle to get approvals, prompting another round of laughter from the audience.
The controversy deepened after remarks by Paula White-Cain, who addressed the gathering and compared Trump's political challenges to the suffering of Jesus.
She said he had faced betrayal and false accusations, describing it as a pattern seen in Christian teachings.
White-Cain went further, invoking the resurrection narrative and telling Trump that just as Jesus rose and triumphed, he too would find victory.
Her comments have since drawn criticism from sections of the public and religious observers.
Meanwhile, Trump's ambitious ballroom project has run into legal trouble. A federal judge recently ordered a pause on construction, stressing that the president serves as a steward of the White House and not its owner.
The decision followed objections from preservation groups concerned about changes to the historic structure.
Reacting strongly, Trump criticised the lawsuit on Truth Social, arguing the project was under budget, ahead of schedule, and funded without burdening taxpayers.
He also revealed that a large underground military facility was being built beneath the proposed ballroom.
The episode has once again highlighted Trump's blend of humour, political messaging, and religious references, a mix that continues to draw both support and sharp criticism.