Watch The Daily Show Break Down Conservative Media’s Take On Bishop Budde’s Call For Trump To Treat LGBTQIA+ People With Kindness
The National Prayer Service this week sparked a media frenzy, and The Daily Show didn’t hold back in calling out the conservative backlash. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s heartfelt sermon, urging kindness toward LGBTQIA+ youth and immigrants, drew sharp criticism from Fox News. But why did a simple message of compassion cause such outrage?
“Was Kindness Too Much to Ask?”
During her sermon, Bishop Budde addressed former President Donald Trump, asking him to show mercy to vulnerable communities. She highlighted the fears of LGBTQIA+ youth and immigrant families, calling for empathy at a time when many feel unsafe. While her words resonated with progressive audiences, Fox News anchors slammed her for “politicising the pulpit,” with one even calling her sermon “theological malpractice.” When did asking for empathy become controversial?
Trump Fires Back
Trump wasted no time responding on Truth Social, labeling Budde a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater.” He accused her of bringing politics into the church and claimed she owed the public an apology. His post quickly went viral, igniting even more debate.
Bishop Budde, however, stood firm. She told The Associated Press that her plea was rooted in faith and compassion not politics and emphasised that disagreement doesn’t have to lead to hateful rhetoric.
The Daily Show Breaks It Down
The Daily Show took to Instagram to unpack the drama, highlighting the absurdity of conservative outrage over a message of love and inclusion. The clip cleverly contrasted Fox News’ fiery critiques with Budde’s calm delivery.
Comments on The Daily Show’s post captured the mood perfectly:
- @raoulbt: “Fox News anchors all make me puke 🤮!!!”
- @freetofly: “If Christians in America acted more like Rev. Mariann Budde and less like Donald Trump, there would be a whole lot of us that hadn’t left the church.”
- @addison_fach: “Stop calling it ‘woke’… it’s called empathy. The thing you are describing is just basic empathy for other people.”
A Divided Response
Budde’s sermon has become a flashpoint for debate. Progressive faith leaders praised her courage in speaking truth to power, while conservative voices accused her of crossing a line as a religious leader. The Episcopal Church backed Budde, affirming that her call for mercy aligns with Christian values.
This backlash raises bigger questions: Why is acceptance still so divisive? And what does this say about how we communicate today?
Bishop Budde remains steadfast in her mission to uplift those who feel unseen. As she said, “I think it is possible to disagree with respect… without resorting to violent rhetoric.”
