President Trump and Faith Leaders Celebrate Repeal of Johnson Amendment and Faith-Driven Philanthropy
The White House Faith Office, led by Faith Director Jenny Korn and Senior Advisor Pastor Paula White-Cain, hosted its inaugural Business Leaders Briefing and Luncheon today in the State Dining Room. Attended by President Donald Trump, the event honored over 60 CEOs and business leaders for their impactful faith-based philanthropy, emphasizing their role in fostering a stronger, freer, and more compassionate nation.
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President Trump opened the summit with remarks celebrating the core values of freedom, hard work, and trust in God, which he credited as foundational to America’s success. He highlighted the administration’s commitment to religious liberty, notably the repeal of the Johnson Amendment, a 1954 law that restricted tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from engaging in political endorsements. “We got rid of it,” Trump declared, noting that this change allows pastors and faith leaders to speak freely about politics without risking their tax-exempt status. This move, initiated after discussions with faith leaders in 2015, was met with applause and praised as a restoration of free speech for religious communities.
Jenny Korn described the guests as “wonderfully successful in business” but driven by a passion for giving through faith-based initiatives. Among the distinguished attendees were Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary; Howard Lutnick, Commerce Secretary; Kelly Loeffler, Small Business Administrator; David Greene, Founder of Hobby Lobby; Debra Waller, Chairman and CEO of Jockey International, Inc.; Lee Dunlap, Founder of Quest Events; Albert Huddleston, Founder of Aethon Energy; and Jimmy Shoppa, Founder of Shoppa’s Material Handling. Their presence highlighted the event’s focus on uniting business acumen with faith-driven charitable work.
President Trump also touted economic achievements, including a budget surplus in June, the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” delivering historic tax and spending cuts, and a strengthened border security policy. He emphasized the administration’s pro-faith agenda, including the establishment of the White House Faith Office, a Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty, and a Department of Justice task force to combat anti-Christian bias. “We are protecting religious freedom like never before,” he stated, highlighting the restoration of “one nation under God” as a guiding principle.
Pastor Paula White-Cain closed the event with a prayer, calling the gathering a “moment of divine alignment” and praising the administration’s progress in restoring America’s spiritual and moral foundations. She described the attendees as “stewards on divine assignment,” tasked with using their wealth and influence for eternal impact. The luncheon also celebrated Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s birthday, adding a personal touch to the proceedings.
The White House Faith Office, established in February 2025, continues to champion faith-based solutions to societal challenges. Today’s summit, as Pastor White-Cain noted, signals that “faith has a seat at the table,” reinforcing the administration’s commitment to empowering believers to shape a prosperous and faithful nation.
