US President Donald Trump has taken to his social media platform, Truth Social, to air his grievances with Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s appeal for mercy on behalf of transgender, gay, and lesbian children during an inaugural prayer service. This statement, consequently, marked a return to his notorious midnight posts, a hallmark of his previous term in office, as he settled into his second term as president.
Trump aimed at Bishop Budde in his early morning post, labeling her a “Radical Left hard-line Trump hater.” He criticized her for dragging her church into politics in an “ungracious way” as she spoke during the Washington National Cathedral’s prayer service on Tuesday morning.
He sharply criticized the tone of Budde, calling her “nasty” and referring to her comments as “not compelling or smart.” Trump also claimed that her speech lacked balance, as the bishop did not raise the subject of illegal immigration, which he argued is a major source of crime in America. He went on to castigate undocumented immigrants, most of whom are coming out of jail and mental institutes, as comprising a “giant crime wave” sweeping the country.
Moreover, Trump stated that he found the prayer service “boring and uninspiring” and suggested that Bishop Budde and her church owed the public an apology for her “inappropriate statements.” The president also criticized Budde, claiming she was “not very good at her job,” questioning the religious leader’s credibility.
Bishop Budde’s Plea for Mercy
In the opening prayer service, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, on an emotional plea, requested that President Trump exercise mercy upon gay, lesbian, and transgender children, considering all his controversial decisions to acknowledge only two genders and abolish birthright citizenship in the United States. She emphasized that LGBTQ+ policies pushed by the president always cause fear among children and families and called for mercy.
Budde stated in her speech, “In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in democratic, republican and independent families. Some who fear for their lives.” She underscored the plight of immigrants, calling them essential workers who contribute greatly to the economy and do not deserve to be painted as criminals.
Budde further said, “The people picking our farms, cleaning our office buildings, working in our poultry farms and serving in the restaurants are no criminals.” She described such undocumented immigrants as “good neighbors” and “taxpayers” and appealed to families for empathy, emphasizing the fear of them being separated and taken away, “Our God teaches us we are to be merciful to a stranger. For we were once all strangers here.”.
Trump’s Response and Public Outrage
Sitting in the front row at the service with his wife Melania and Vice President JD Vance, Trump seemed unmoved by the bishop’s sermon. Immediately after the service, Trump took to Truth Social to express his dissatisfaction. He wrote, “Not too exciting, was it. I didn’t think it was a good service. No…They can do much better.”
Billionaire Elon Musk, Trump’s ally, echoed his comments and criticized Bishop Budde’s remarks in a post on his own social media platform, X. Musk, known for his controversial stances, quipped, “She got the woke mind virus real bad.” Notably, Musk’s comments are significant, given his complex personal connection to the LGBTQ+ community. In 2022, his transgender daughter filed a court petition to change her name and sever all ties with him. Consequently, this context adds a layer of complexity to Musk’s criticism.
The Growing Divide on LGBTQ+ Rights and Immigration Policies
The clash between President Trump and Bishop Budde underscores the ongoing cultural and political divide in the US, particularly around issues of LGBTQ+ rights and immigration. Trump’s response to the bishop’s plea highlights his administration’s tough stance on immigration, contrasting sharply with Budde’s advocacy for more inclusive and compassionate policies for marginalized communities.
Although Trump has never changed his stand on these issues, his opponents like Budde-who is an ordained minister along with many religious leaders-press for more compassionate and tolerant leaders, especially regarding the most marginalized communities, for example, queer youth and undocumented aliens.