Paula White, a longtime spiritual adviser to Donald Trump, is facing renewed scrutiny after a resurfaced sermon video showing her crawling across a stage while preaching circulated widely on social media, reigniting debate over her religious style and political visibility.
The clip, shared extensively on platforms including X and Instagram, shows White delivering a sermon in which she lowers herself to the floor while invoking spiritual imagery. In the footage, she tells the congregation, "Baby, if I got to get down and crawl," before continuing her message, a moment that has drawn both criticism and defense online.
The renewed attention comes amid heightened focus on White's dual role as a religious figure and political ally. Her association with Trump dates back to his first presidential campaign and later formalized through her involvement in White House faith initiatives, positioning her as a visible bridge between evangelical communities and the administration.
White has previously framed such physical demonstrations as symbolic rather than literal. In ministry materials and past sermons, similar gestures have been described as representing the defeat of evil forces, particularly drawing on biblical imagery such as the serpent narrative in Genesis. Within that context, the act of crawling has been interpreted by supporters as a visual metaphor tied to "spiritual warfare."
The theological framework underlying the sermon reflects traditions commonly found in Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity in the United States. These traditions often emphasize a dynamic struggle between good and evil forces, with expressive preaching styles designed to engage congregations through both language and physical symbolism.
Religious scholars note that such approaches, while familiar in certain American evangelical circles, can appear unusual to audiences accustomed to more structured forms of worship. In traditions such as those associated with the Church of England, services tend to prioritize liturgical consistency over demonstrative expression, contributing to differing interpretations of the same imagery across cultural contexts.
The viral spread of the video also intersects with White's recent public comments at a White House Easter event, where she compared Trump's political challenges to biblical themes. "You were betrayed and arrested and falsely accused. It's a familiar pattern that our Lord and Saviour showed us," she said, remarks that drew criticism from some religious commentators while resonating with others familiar with her rhetorical style.
The resurgence of the sermon clip highlights how archived religious content can gain new relevance when amplified through social media, particularly when tied to figures with political influence. Short excerpts, often detached from their original context, can reshape public perception as they circulate among broader audiences.
