◆Lee Tae-gyu, Washington Playbook No. 158
Trump reached out after seeing her televised sermon in the early 2000s
A relationship spanning more than 20 years; often described as his 'spiritual mentor'
She delivered the opening prayer at his first inauguration — the first female clergy to do so
After his second inauguration, he was appointed director of the White House Office of Faith and given a West Wing office
White: “I care deeply about Korea... I will serve as a bridge”
Trump reached out after seeing her televised sermon in the early 2000s
A relationship spanning more than 20 years; often described as his 'spiritual mentor'
She delivered the opening prayer at his first inauguration — the first female clergy to do so
After his second inauguration, he was appointed director of the White House Office of Faith and given a West Wing office
White: “I care deeply about Korea... I will serve as a bridge”
At a roundtable hosted at the Korean Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., Kim said he has worked to cultivate relationships with people close to President Trump, including Pastor White. He said he asked senior Korean church leaders who have longstanding ties with White to help make the meeting happen. Kim said the meeting took place in a conference room adjacent to the Oval Office that connects directly to it by a door, and White’s close relationship with the president made it possible for guests to be received there.
Kim said that after nearly an hour of conversation, White decided a meeting with the president was necessary, checked the situation at the Oval Office several times, and arranged for the meeting when Trump’s previous engagement concluded. He said Trump had been meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Keane. Kim added that he had been scheduled to meet Michael Kratsios, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, at the White House, but he briefly delayed that meeting in order to meet the president.
Kim explained he met with White because she shares a close personal and spiritual bond with Trump and is in a position to advise him directly; he believed meeting her would help cultivate both direct and indirect ties to the president. He also said he wanted to dispel misunderstandings in U.S. circles about whether Korea engages in religious persecution or treats conservative politicians and religious groups discriminatorily.
A relationship lasting more than 20 years... even described as Trump’s 'spiritual mentor'
Shortly after the start of his second term in March last year, Trump appointed her director of the White House Office of Faith and provided her with an office in the West Wing — a clear sign of his trust. Beyond advising on White House outreach to religious groups, White has often been photographed placing her hands on Trump and praying with him alongside others. On the 5th, she hosted a prayer event at the White House amid tensions with Iran; photos showed her and others with their hands on Trump’s shoulders as they prayed.
White asked, “Which parts of the election law did Pastor Son Hyun-bo violate?”
