President Trump slams ‘nasty’ bishop, demands apology over ‘mercy’ plea

Donald Trump has unleashed a vicious tirade against the bishop who called for him to “have mercy” on those who are scared by his election.

US President Donald Trump has lashed out at the bishop who delivered a sermon at Tuesday’s National Prayer Service saying she wasn’t good at her job.

The president called Mariann Budde nasty and called on her to apologise in a fiery tirade in a Truth Social post on Wednesday morning.

Trump ripped Budde, claiming she was not compelling or smart, and described the prayer service as “boring and uninspiring.”

‘She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way,” he said.

“She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart.

“Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one.

“She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!”

The president’s comments come after vice president JD Vance’s reaction was caught on camera.

JD Vance also went viral for his reaction.

President Trump wasn’t having it. Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

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He turned to his wife Usha and just had a disapproved look on his face.

“JD’s face at the woke sermon says it all,” one viewer said.

“I’m with JD,” another supporter said.

“JD Vance’s face at the woke sermon was so funny,” a fan posted on X.

“I don’t think Mike Pence would’ve been as funny.”

In another shot, Vance’s eyes were seen pointing in the direction of Trump and First Lady Melania.

Viewers were curious to know what Trump was thinking at the time.

Trump, sporting a trademark red tie, looked stony faced during the service.

“Trump had some good faces as well,” another chimed.

“Actually they are all confused about this.”

The president slammed the bishop’s service. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Social media users joked that they wouldn’t be able to pursue a career in politics because of their facial reactions.

“My facial expressions would get me in trouble,” an X user admitted.

Budde told the congregation: “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, and Democratic and Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives.”

Budde urged the president to have mercy on various groups.

Following the service at the Washington National Cathedral, Trump said he didn’t think it was good.

“They can do much better,” he told reporters as he trooped back into the White House.

Budde later explained why she delivered the sermon.

She told CNN she wanted to remind people are “frightened.”

“I wanted to counter, as gently as I could, with a reminder of their humanity and their place in our wider community,” she said.

Rev. Mariann Budde leads the national prayer service attended by President Donald Trump at the Washington National Cathedral, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Budde also revealed she was addressing Trump directly.

“I was speaking to the president because I felt that he has this moment now where he feels charged and empowered to do what he feels called to do,” she added.

“There’s room for a broader compassion.

“We don‘t need to portray with a broad cloth in the harshest of terms, some of the most vulnerable people in our society who are in fact our neighbours, our friends, our children, our friends, children and so forth.”

Trump has wasted no time in reversing Biden’s agenda since being sworn in.

He signed executive orders that will pull the US from the World Health Organisation and the Paris climate accord.

Trump pulled the US out of the climate treaty during his first term.

He has also pardoned 1,500 people imprisoned over the January 6 Capitol protests.

Trump’s decision to issue the flurry of pardons sparked fury among top Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The president also signed an executive order that delays the shutdown of TikTok in the US.

Trump said he’s open to Tesla mogul Elon Musk buying the app.

He also signed an order requiring an end to all DEI (diversity, equality and inclusion) government programs within 60 days.

And, Trump wants to end birthright citizenship for all illegal immigrants.

Trump vowed America’s decline was over and called his second term a common sense revolution.

This story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.

Originally published as President Trump slams ‘nasty’ bishop, demands apology over ‘mercy’ plea