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By Jack Beresford
Senior Reporter
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The prayer circle that President Donald Trump hosted in the White House as the Iran war unfolded has become a source of mockery on social media in China.
Why It Matters
Last week, a Trump adviser released footage of faith leaders gathered around the president, during prayer. Many of the pastors in attendance could be seen touching Trump during the sermon. The moment has seen been lampooned countless times in the Far East, becoming a meme shared among workers.
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The fact this prayer is now seemingly the source of a widespread social-media lampoon could irk the Trump administration, especially as it is coming out of China, with tensions continuing to gently simmer between the Eastern and Western superpowers as events in Iran continue to unfold.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.
What To Know
An X user posting under the handle @Eivor_Koy shared several screenshots purporting to show business leaders in China recreating the prayer circle, claiming it has become a "social media trend" in the Far East.
"Bosses at small businesses and factories are rounding up their employees to make fun of the stunt—forming a circle, placing hands on shoulders or heads, and praying in a humorous way for ‘better sales, higher incomes for every worker and the whole company,’" the user wrote alongside the post.
The trend was also highlighted in a post shared to Reddit under the handle r/Relative_Specific140 with the headline:“People in China are turning Trump’s Oval Office prayer pic into a meme."
On Instagram, Tong Bingxue, a photographer and historian who posts to the platform under the handle @visuals_china, echoed the claims being made on Twitter and Reddit, suggesting the spoof videos are part of an "unexpected marketing trend across China."
"Business owners are gathering their employees, forming circles, and jokingly praying for…better sales and higher bonuses," Bingxue said. "The videos are blowing up on Douyin and Weibo—proof that sometimes the best marketing is free. Whether it brought divine intervention? Debatable. But global attention? Absolutely."
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Trump had gathered the group of Christian leaders at the Oval Office on Thursday, March 5 for what was intended as a solemn moment of spiritual reflection against the backdrop of the Iran war.
Trump’s spiritual adviser, Pastor Paula White, was in attendance as was California megachurch pastor Greg Laurie, pastor Jentezen Franklin and evangelical leader Johnnie Moore. Franklin later said on Instagram that Trump had asked them to "simply pray for our nation, our government and our military forces."
A prayer is also audible on the footage. "We pray for wisdom from heaven to guide his heart and mind, and that you will guide him in these challenging times we're facing today," the speaker states. "I pray for your grace and protection over him…and over our troops. Father, we pray you'll continue to give our president the strength that he needs to lead our great nation."
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What Are People Saying
Pastor Jentezen Franklin on Instagram: "The President took time to listen to every single person and then have us pray for him. It’s easy to criticize leadership but it’s better to influence with prayer and dialogue. He was sincerely grateful when we told him millions are praying."
Tony Bingxue on Instagram: "What started as faith leaders praying over President Donald Trump on March 6 has turned into an unexpected marketing trend across China. Business owners are gathering their employees, forming circles, and jokingly praying for…better sales and higher bonuses."
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