Nine-hour prayer meeting at the White House

TT

Published 08.44

The prayer festival is held in the National Mall. Photo: Alex Brandon /AP/TT

A nine-hour prayer meeting with speakers including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Speaker Mike Johnson.

Sunday's White House-sponsored event is intended to unite Americans in prayer and thanksgiving ahead of the United States' 250th birthday on July 4.

The prayer festival is being held in the National Mall, near the White House in Washington DC, where a huge stage with the text "Rededicate 250" has been built, according to media reports.

Behind the prayer time is the organization Freedom 250, which is supported by the White House and organizes "patriotic events." Its website says Americans of “all backgrounds” are welcome, but NPR notes that 18 of the 19 prayer leaders are Christian—the 19th is a Jewish rabbi.

The prayer meeting comes just weeks after Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus, a post that drew heavy criticism and sparked a row with Pope Leo.