Trump posts ‘Holy Week’ videos after Easter event uproar
President Donald Trump released two ‘Holy Week’ videos featuring Bible readings just days after a controversial White House Easter lunch was deleted from official channels. The original event drew backlash after his faith adviser Paula White-Cain compared him to Jesus Christ, sparking accusations of blasphemy and church-state overreach. The new videos repurpose audio from the deleted lunch, reframing the moment amid ongoing criticism and scrutiny of Trump’s religious messaging.
Holy Week videos repurpose deleted event
In the wake of a deleted White House Easter lunch video, President Trump released two new ‘Holy Week’ videos featuring Bible readings and religious commentary. The audio was drawn from the controversial lunch, edited with a Kenny G-style saxophone score, and included Trump’s reflections on Jesus’ resurrection. The move appears aimed at reframing the narrative after the original event’s unfiltered footage sparked widespread criticism. Mediaite
Easter lunch remarks ignite theological backlash
During the Easter lunch, Paula White-Cain likened Trump’s legal and political struggles to Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion, calling him a ‘great champion of faith.’ Critics, including theologians and clergy, labeled the remarks ‘blasphemous’ and ‘heresy,’ warning against distorting Christian teachings for political purposes. Social media amplified the outrage, with many questioning the mixing of church and state and Trump’s personal religiosity. Mediaite + 4
The Easter lunch was initially listed as closed to press, but the White House unexpectedly live-streamed it for over an hour. The stream captured White-Cain’s remarks and Trump’s subdued demeanor, before being deleted from official platforms. Despite the deletion, clips circulated widely online, fueling further criticism and framing the event as political theater rather than a purely religious gathering. Mediaite + 3
Religious messaging as political capital
The video release fits into Trump’s longstanding strategy of courting evangelical support, reinforced by his creation of the White House Faith Office and other pro-religion policies. His Good Friday message tied national greatness to religious belief, claiming a resurgence of faith in America. Analysts note that such messaging strengthens his bond with a key voting bloc while deflecting from controversies by invoking shared religious identity.
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Reason for the kerfuffle is – those folks know they are guilty. The truth is like a thorn in their side.
Our travels in the world have covered many countries, except one, Israel/Jerusalem at Easter or Christmas. Each year, when planning for Easter, it was not available due to problems with terror. It is still on the bucket list.
My favorite song for Easter has always been: Jerusalem, My Destiny.
Click on the following to listen to the beautiful song.
ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG6thyHErVc
What Is Easter and Why Do We Celebrate It?
BST Editorial Staff
Updated: March 31, 2026
Easter is a Christian religious holiday, also known as a feast day, that celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as described in the New Testament of the Bible. It is considered the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church. Easter is preceded by the season of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance.
The exact date of Easter varies each year because it is based on the lunar calendar. It generally falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox, which is around March 21. As a result, Easter can occur between March 22 and April 25.
In addition to its religious significance, Easter has also become associated with various secular traditions and customs. These include the Easter bunny, egg decorating, egg hunts, and the giving of Easter baskets filled with candy and gifts. These traditions are often observed by people of various religious and cultural backgrounds, making Easter a widely celebrated and recognized holiday in many parts of the world.
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The Meaning of Easter
So what is Easter? And why do Christians place such a high importance on this holiday?
Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb, occurring three days after His crucifixion. It fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah’s persecution, death for our sins, and resurrection, as foretold in Isaiah 53. This event serves as a reminder of our victory over sin and a source of daily hope. According to the New Testament, Easter falls three days after Jesus’ crucifixion, following a period of fasting known as Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Good Friday, the day of Jesus’ death. Pope Gregory I established the 40-day duration of Lent, drawing inspiration from the biblical accounts of Israel, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus’ time in the wilderness.
After Christians spend time in reflection during the 40 days of Lent, we remember the event that shook the whole world. That our Lord conquered death. The Old Testament prophesied about this event hundreds of times, hundreds to thousands of years prior to the Resurrection. It’s not just a big deal. It’s the biggest deal in all of Christianity.
The Easter story, as recounted in all four Gospels of the New Testament, begins with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, His burial, and culminates in His resurrection from the dead. In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Jesus is crucified by the Roman authorities at the instigation of religious leaders. He is then buried in a tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea. On the third day after His death, women visit the tomb and find it empty, with angels announcing Jesus’ resurrection. They encounter Jesus alive, who then appears to His disciples, providing them with evidence of His resurrection before ascending into heaven. This miraculous event confirms Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and the fulfillment of prophecies regarding the Messiah.
Easter is one of the most important holidays in the Christian calendar. It commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe was sent to Earth to offer salvation from sin.
For many, Easter is also a time to reflect on the meaning of life and the power of love and forgiveness. Through the symbolism of Easter, Christians are reminded that no matter how dark things may seem, there is always hope in the power of resurrection and new beginnings.
Why Do Christians Celebrate Easter?
Easter marks the triumphant victory of Jesus Christ over death and the grave, demonstrating His power to conquer sin and offer eternal life to all who believe in Him. We celebrate Easter because not only did our Lord conquer death, but without the Resurrection, we have no foundation for our faith.
1 Corinthians 15:13-15 says, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.”
In other words, Christianity has no point if the Resurrection didn’t happen. Christians would’ve been martyred for nothing and placed their faith in false hope.
Thankfully, the Resurrection did occur, and for those reasons, we have immense hope and assurance. It is through the Resurrection that we find assurance of our redemption and the promise of new life in Christ. Furthermore, the Resurrection validates Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and confirms His authority to grant forgiveness of sins and reconcile humanity with God. Therefore, Easter is not merely a celebration of an event in history, but a proclamation of the foundational truth that shapes our entire faith journey and offers hope for the future.
The History of Easter
Some people have suggested that Easter has some pagan origins. It gets muddled depending on which theologian you ask. Some have said that the pagan roots of the holiday date back to Babylon:
“According to an ancient “Sumerian legend of Damuzi (Tammuz) and his wife Inanna (Ishtar), […] Tammuz dies, Ishtar is grief–stricken and follows him to the underworld.” Here, “‘naked and bowed low’ she is judged, killed, and then hung on display. In her absence, the earth loses its fertility, crops cease to grow, and animals stop reproducing. Unless something is done, all life on earth will end.” — Candice Lucey
Others have said that the church, wanting to win the trust of their pagan neighbors still, created a holiday that happened to fall around the time of a similar pagan festival (one that perhaps involved a certain bunny).
Christians cannot deny that, at the very least, pagan practices have infiltrated the holiday, from dyeing eggs to tales about the Easter bunny.
Nevertheless, when we celebrate what some believers like to call Resurrection Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.
Why Is Easter Called “Easter”?
The term “Easter” is believed to have originated from the Old English word “Ēastre” or “Ēostre,” which refers to a pagan festival celebrating the goddess of spring and fertility. Over time, as Christianity spread throughout Europe, the celebration of Easter became associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Christian holiday of Easter coincided with the timing of the pagan festival, and as a result, the name “Easter” was retained for the Christian observance.
Recent scholars haven’t been able to find any reference to the goddess Bede mentioned and consider the theory discredited. Another probability is the Norse eostur, eastur, or Ostara, which meant “the season of the growing sun” or “the season of new birth.”
The word east comes from the same roots. In this case, easter would be linked to the changing of the season. A more recent and complex explanation comes from the Christian background of Easter rather than the pagan. The early Latin name for the week of Easter was hebdomada alba or “white week,” while the Sunday after Easter day was called Dominica in albis from the white robes of those who had been newly baptized. The word alba is Latin, both for white and dawn. People speaking Old High German made a mistake in their translation and used a plural word for dawn, ostarun, instead of a plural for white. From ostarun we get the German Ostern and the English Easter.”
When Is Easter Celebrated?
Easter always falls on the Sunday of Passion Week, with the holidays of Holy Saturday and Good Friday preceding the holiday. This year, Easter will be on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
We’ve also outlined when Easter will fall for the next few years.
Sunday, March 28, 2027
Sunday, April 16, 2028
Sunday, April 1, 2029
Sunday, April 21, 2030
Learn more about when is Easter and how the day is determined each year.
The Connection of Passover and Easter
The connection between Passover and Easter lies in their shared theological significance and historical context. Passover, celebrated by Jews, commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt as recounted in the Book of Exodus. It involves rituals such as the Seder meal, the retelling of the Exodus story, and the consumption of unleavened bread (matzah).
Easter falls around the same time as Passover and is often linked to the Jewish festival due to the Last Supper, which Jesus shared with His disciples before His crucifixion, being identified as a Passover meal. During this meal, Jesus instated Communion by referring to the bread as his body and the cup of wine as his blood. The coming events of Jesus’ death and resurrection would fulfill the deeper spiritual meaning of Passover, symbolizing liberation from sin and death through Jesus’ sacrifice.
Religious and Secular Easter Traditions
Easter is typically observed by attending church services, exchanging gifts, and enjoying feasts with family and friends. There are many different religious and secular traditions surrounding the celebration of Easter. Here are some of the most popular:
Attending church services: Many Christians attend special church services on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Easter egg hunts: Children often participate in Easter egg hunts, where decorated eggs, candy, or small toys are hidden for them to find.
Decorating eggs: Decorating eggs is a common Easter tradition, with families and communities often dyeing, painting, or decorating eggs in various creative ways.
Easter baskets: Children receive Easter baskets filled with treats, toys, and other goodies from the Easter Bunny.
Easter brunch or dinner: Families and friends often gather for a special meal on Easter Sunday, which may include traditional dishes such as ham, lamb, or Easter bread. Lamb is a traditional Easter dish in many Christian traditions because it symbolizes Jesus Christ as the “Lamb of God” who sacrificed Himself for the redemption of humanity. In the Old Testament, the Passover lamb was sacrificed and eaten during the Passover feast, and Christians see parallels between the Passover lamb and Jesus’ sacrificial death.
Easter bonnets: Wearing Easter bonnets or hats adorned with flowers, ribbons, or other decorations is a tradition in some places.
Giving Easter gifts: In addition to Easter baskets, some people exchange gifts with loved ones on Easter Sunday.
Lighting Easter candles: Lighting candles during Easter services symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the triumph of light over darkness.
Planting Easter flowers: Some people plant flowers such as lilies, tulips, or daffodils as a symbol of new life and rebirth on Easter.
Prayers to Celebrate Easter
“Dear Lord, I want to let Your Truth sink deep down into my heart and soul today. Help me stay focused on You. And I pray for the many who will understand for the first time this Easter Sunday that You are risen. Wash over every soul with fresh hope and overwhelming joy. Bring new life as only You can. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” — Lysa Terkeurst
“Dear Lord, help me to tell of Your wondrous power and mighty acts to those generations that come after me. May I not let the season pass by without pondering the real meaning of Easter. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” — Karen Ehman
“Dear God, please allow me to encounter the overcoming power and redemptive love of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for planning the ultimate plot twist that allows me to experience an abundant life and eternal blessings through the work of Your Son. I am so very grateful! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” — Kathy Crabtree
“Father, I thank You for the miracle of life – abundant life here and eternal life with You in Heaven. Help me celebrate that life every day as I seek You and follow Your plan for my life. Today, I say with the Apostle Paul, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Amen.” — Mary Southerland
“Dear Lord, You are amazing! Thank you for offering forgiveness and mercy through the great exchange of Jesus. It is a miracle that I can come to You with a heart that is pure. Your love is extravagant and I cannot say thank you enough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” — Gwen Smith
Find more Easter Prayers to celebrate and give thanks to God!
No wonder our budget/debt has busted its britches. With all of the money in the fraud column and so far the guilty are Minnesota and California – wonder what the rest of the blue states have done?
Federal and White House investigators announced this week that 221 hospice and healthcare providers in California have been suspended or flagged for suspected fraud. The effort grew fast. Just last week about 70 providers were suspended. Now federal law enforcement reported arrests and search warrants tied to schemes that bilked Medicare and other programs out of more than $50 million. Authorities say these were not isolated mistakes. They describe coordinated schemes involving hospice enrollment fraud, fake claims to private plans, and misuse of immigration related healthcare benefits.
Operation Never Say Die takes center stage
The operation has a memorable name and a clear goal. Local prosecutors and federal agents call it Operation Never Say Die. It brought together the Department of Justice, FBI, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the U.S. Attorney for Central California and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. Investigators executed arrests and warrants in the Los Angeles area and elsewhere. Officials say the probes targeted multiple providers and professionals, including nurses, a psychologist, and a chiropractor, and that more actions are expected.
Arrests and alleged losses to taxpayers
Authorities announced the arrest of eight defendants in connection with roughly $50 million in losses to taxpayers. The DOJ statement named charges tied to Medicare hospice fraud and other schemes. The FBI Los Angeles office posted video and noted arrests in and around Los Angeles County and in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Prosecutors say the defendants included healthcare workers who allegedly submitted false claims and exploited weak program checks to collect millions from federal programs.
Task force leadership and public messaging
Vice President JD Vance leads the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and has been actively promoting the crackdown. Officials and the task force have stressed that the effort is just beginning and that the number of suspended providers will likely grow. The task force is coordinating with CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and local U.S. attorneys to pursue criminal and administrative remedies. Messaging from leaders emphasized protecting taxpayer funds and ensuring that genuine patients receive honest care.
Local prosecutor warns of widespread fraud
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli used strong language at a press event, calling the state a hotspot for schemes that move taxpayer dollars with minimal vetting. He pointed to patterns across benefit programs where money flowed out the door without checks, receipts, or follow up. His comments reflect a common prosecutorial theme this week: weak oversight creates opportunity and bad actors find ways to exploit it. That is why investigators are pushing both criminal cases and improved compliance.
Political reaction and support from President Donald Trump
President Donald Trump praised the task force publicly and called Vice President Vance the “FRAUD CZAR” in a statement supporting the raids. The President said stopping large scale fraud could have big budget consequences and congratulated the teams involved. Political leaders from various levels have framed the effort as a fight for taxpayers and for the integrity of healthcare for the elderly and vulnerable. Supporters say the raids show the administration is serious about accountability.
What this means for patients and providers
Most hospice providers deliver real care to people at the end of life. But investigators warn that some bad actors turn patient enrollment into a feeding trough. Increased suspensions and prosecutions bring short term disruption to the ecosystem. The goal of enforcement is to remove fraudulent actors while creating stronger checks so legitimate providers can serve patients without unfair competition or reputational harm. Officials also say they will pursue administrative changes to make it harder for fraud to go unchecked in the future.
Expect more developments
Federal officials signaled this week that the 221 suspended providers figure is likely to rise as the probe continues. They pledged ongoing coordination across agencies and repeated that enforcement will not stop with arrests alone. Investigators will use criminal prosecutions, administrative suspensions, civil recovery actions, and tighter oversight to recover funds and deter future abuse. For readers who care about taxpayers and patient welfare, this is a story to watch in the weeks ahead.
kommonsentsjane 