President Donald Trump’s celebration plans for Holy Week have received strong praise from prominent Christian leaders, highlighting a stark contrast with the Biden administration’s decision to declare Easter Sunday 2024 as “Transgender Day of Visibility.”
Pastor Greg Laurie previewed this year’s Holy Week observance in a message shared on social media.
“I’ve been invited to a special Easter dinner and worship service at the White House this week — alongside leaders like @Franklin_Graham and @Jentezen. We’ll be praying, reading Scripture, and lifting up the name of Jesus,” the California-based Harvest Church pastor said on social media.
“In a time when truth is blurred, what a contrast to see the resurrection of Christ honored — especially after last year’s Easter was marked by ‘Transgender Day of Visibility.’ Pray that we honor God and point people to Christ,” Laurie added on X.
I’ve been invited to a special Easter dinner and worship service at the White House this week—alongside leaders like @Franklin_Graham and and @Jentezen
We’ll be praying, reading Scripture, and lifting up the name of Jesus.
In a time when truth is blurred, what a contrast to… pic.twitter.com/AwVJRFEYUz
— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) April 14, 2025
Evangelist Franklin Graham also expressed his appreciation for the event and pointed out the contrast between the administrations.
“I’m thankful for President @realDonaldTrump and the White House Faith Office, and I look forward to being there this week,” Graham said on X.
1/2 What a contrast to Easter last year at the White House when President Biden declared the most holy day of the year on the Christian calendar “Transgender Day of Visibility.” https://t.co/EsCl9ynrEO
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) April 13, 2025
He added, “What a contrast to Easter last year at the White House when President Biden declared the most holy day of the year on the Christian calendar ‘Transgender Day of Visibility.’”
“This is another sharp contrast from the previous administration,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Leavitt and other faith leaders were referencing the Biden administration’s 2024 proclamation, which designated Easter Sunday — March 31, 2024 — as Transgender Day of Visibility.
“Today, we send a message to all transgender Americans: You are loved. You are heard. You are understood. You belong. You are America, and my entire Administration, and I have your back… I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America… do hereby proclaim March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility.”
According to the White House Faith Office, the Trump Administration’s weeklong Holy Week celebration includes a video message from President Trump released on Monday and a special Easter dinner on Wednesday evening. The dinner will feature Christian hymns performed by the Marine Corps Band, a Christian opera performance by Charles Billingsley, and prayers and remarks by the president.
The guest list includes pastors, priests, and other faith leaders, as well as Leavitt, the White House Faith Office, and members of the president’s staff.
On Holy Thursday, the White House will host a staff worship service led by Pastor Paula White, Rev. Graham, pastors Laurie, and Franklin. The service will include prayer, scripture readings, communion, and worship music performed by an ensemble from Liberty University.
WHITE HOUSE RENEWS PROMISE TO DEFEND CHRISTIANITY IN U.S. DURING HOLY WEEK
“President Trump promised millions of Christians across the country that he would create a White House Faith Office, and he delivered on that promise,” said Leavitt. “The White House Faith Office has put together an extraordinary weeklong celebration for Holy Week ahead of Easter Sunday.”
President Biden’s 2024 transgender proclamation prompted President Trump to issue an executive order on February 6 titled “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias.”
