U.S. President Donald Trump sent wishes to Jews for a “Happy Passover” and Christians for a “Happy Easter” in an annual video message.
“During the sacred holiday of Passover, Jewish families around the world give thanks to God for liberating the Jewish people from bondage in Egypt and delivering them to the Promised Land of Israel,” the president said in a video address.
He quoted the Prophet Isaiah, who said: “For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but upon thee the Lord will arise, and His glory shall be seen upon thee … the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light.” (Isaiah 60:2, 20)
He noted that the sacred celebrations of Passover and Easter “remind us that God’s love redeems the world.”
“In America, we look to the light of God to guide our steps. We trust in the power of the Almighty for wisdom and strength, and we bless our Heavenly Father for the blessings of freedom and the gift of eternal life. Happy Passover, happy Easter, thank you, God bless you and God bless America,” he concluded.
Trump is a practicing Presbyterian and has stated that his favorite book is the Bible. However, he has also said he is very “honored” that his daughter, Ivanka, underwent an Orthodox conversion to Judaism prior to her marriage to Jared Kushner.
The White House did not conduct an official Passover seder this year.