On Sunday, Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob released a public apology regarding a prayer meeting held with President Trump in the Oval Office. The archbishop claimed the White House manipulated a sacred moment for political gain just before the midterm elections. This statement follows a Thursday gathering where twelve bishops prayed with the president without their consent for video recording.
Grob stated he felt “a heavy sadness, not only over the pain I caused, but also for the fact that something so sacred to a group of religious leaders, prayer to our Heavenly Father, would be manipulated in that way,” per the New York Post. He remarked that the group arrived with good faith to improve human lives rather than to create a political photo opportunity. The meeting was arranged by the Heritage Foundation to discuss immigration and religious worker visas.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers defended President Trump immediately after the archbishop’s apology. Speaking to Fox News Digital, she stated that no president has ever been greater for Catholic Americans than President Trump. Rogers highlighted his record on religious liberty and his defense of parents’ rights as proof of his support for the Church. The administration maintains the prayer was a genuine act of faith, not a campaign stunt.
Catholic Archbishops and Bishops pray with President Trump in the Oval Office ❤️ https://t.co/facV5wTGQQ
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) October 22, 2026
While the archbishop apologized, President Trump continued his intense campaign schedule to keep Republicans in control of Congress. He struggled to keep his voice during a rally in Mississippi on Monday night after a long travel week. when discussing former President Obama’s recent comments. He argued he did not take any time off because he literally does work when he walks home from the Oval.
Trump also defended his White House renovations against criticism from Obama, who joked that Trump should be on HGTV. The president insisted that nobody loves the White House like he does and that it is now in beautiful shape. He has visited over thirty campaign stops across the country, including Georgia, Michigan, and Texas, in the days leading up to Election Day. His schedule includes stops in Ohio, South Carolina, and Florida later this week.
Amid the political storm, the Trump family celebrated a major personal victory. Vanessa Trump announced she is cancer-free after a months-long battle with breast cancer. She shared a photo on Sunday with her daughter Kai Trump, son Donald Trump III, and boyfriend Tiger Woods gathered around a ceremonial bell. Diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in April, the 48-year-old publicly revealed her condition in May.
Vanessa described the journey as long and challenging in an emotional Instagram post. She wrote, “It was a long and challenging journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for the love and support of the people who surrounded me along the way,” per RedState. She added that she hopes sharing her story encourages others to prioritize their health and understand the importance of early detection. For the mother of five, clear medical scan results marked a deeply personal milestone.
Des Moines Bishop William Joensen also condemned the publicity generated by the prayer gathering. He stated that none of the bishops intended to endorse any political party or individual candidate with their involvement. The bishops were unaware that video was being recorded during the prayer session in the Oval Office. The focus now shifts to the upcoming election as the President continues his rally blitz across the country.
