President Donald Trump‘s Easter message, which focused less on the Christian holiday and more on attacking political rivals, including former President Joe Biden and judges, over immigration policy, has drawn backlash from criticson both sides of the aisle.
Why It Matters
Trump has long been a polarizing figure in American politics and business, with supporters viewing him favorably and critics expressing strong opposition. While Republicans currently control the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, some within the party have broken with the president over tariff policies and mass federal layoffs.
A coordinated wave of protests organized by the grassroots movement “50501” took place across all 50 states on Saturday in opposition to the president’s policies since his return to office in January.
Trump campaigned heavily, and successfully, on a pledge to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history and has overseen the detention and removal of thousands since taking office. Immigration and border security remain central priorities, with Trump last month invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expand executive authority.
The administration’s legal battles over detention and deportation orders have fueled increased politicization of the courts, with Trump in March calling for the impeachment of a federal judge over an immigration ruling he opposed.
White evangelical Christians have remained a core part of Trump’s political base, with more than 75 percent supporting his presidential campaigns, according to the Pew Research Center.
Trump was raised and confirmed as Presbyterian and announced in 2020 that he now identifies as a non-denominational Christian.
President Donald Trump waves from the North Portico as he departs the White House on April 20. President Donald Trump waves from the North Portico as he departs the White House on April 20. Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images
What To Know
In a Sunday morning post on Truth Social, his social media platform, Trump wrote: “Happy Easter to all, Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting and scheming so hard to bring Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, the Mentally Insane, and well known MS-13 Gang Members and Wife Beaters, back into our Country.”
He also took aim at the judiciary, writing “Happy Easter also to the WEAK and INEFFECTIVE Judges and Law Enforcement Officials who are allowing this sinister attack on our Nation to continue, an attack so violent that it will never be forgotten!”
Lastly, he turned to criticize Biden for his “Open Borders Policy,” writing to all the targeted groups after attacks that he wishes them “with great love, sincerity, and affection, a very Happy Easter!!!”
The post has garnered backlash from some Democrats and Republican critics online, many calling him out over his temperament and delivery on a widely celebrated Christian holiday.
What People Are Saying
Adam Kinzinger, former Republican Illinois representative wrote in two back-to-back X, formerly Twitter, posts on Sunday sharing Trump’s Easter note: “Dear Christians who think Trump is the savior, here is his inspiring Easter message or forgiveness and resurrection.”
In a second post, he wrote: “How many times Trump mentions Jesus or resurrection: 0 How many times he says Lord: 1, (drug LORDs)”
“Republicans Against Trump,” a group of GOP supporters who don’t back Trump, wrote in an X post Sunday: “Donald Trump dedicated his Easter message to attacking the ‘Radical Left Lunatics,’ ‘the worst and most incompetent President,’ ‘Sleepy Joe Biden,’ and once again falsely claimed he won the 2020 election. Ah yes, the true spirit of Easter: rage-posting about your political enemies.”
Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action gun violence prevention organization, wrote on X: “Easter message from an incompetent maniac.”
PatriotTakes, a left-leaning X account that says it’s dedicated to “exposing right-wing extremism and other threats to democracy,” wrote on Sunday: “Trump’s Easter message fails to mention Jesus, the cross, the resurrection, forgiveness, peace, joy, or any other Easter message. Instead, he attacked his political opponents, migrants, judges, law enforcement, and rambled about himself and his grievances.”
Christopher Webb, who identifies as a Democrat and has over 122,000 followers on X, wrote about Trump’s post: “Imagine being this bitter, this unhinged—and still thinking you’re the victim. Trump can’t even say Happy Easter without turning it into a rage-filled tantrum.”
Shane Claiborne, author, activist, and Christian shared a cartoon by Mike Luckovich of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, depicting Trump hugging a cross with a thought bubble showing “Big Beautiful ‘T’ for Trump!” Claiborne wrote: “Easter… according to Trump. Every Easter as Trump goes on a narcissistic rant… I think about this cartoon by @mluckovichajc.”
What Happens Next?
In a separate Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump promised he’d make America “more religious.” Issues of religious freedom and the First Amendment’s meaning will continue to be a prominent constitutional issued debated in society.
Meanwhile, the White House Easter Egg Roll will take place on Monday, with large technology firms, including Meta, Amazon, and YouTube, sponsoring the event.
