Trump-backed House nominee sparks controversy with ‘Jewish Antichrist’ comments

Pro-Israel Oklahoma pastor running for House seat with Trump’s backing under fire for sexting and comments on Jews.

By World Israel News Staff

Jackson Lahmeyer, a Tulsa-area pastor backed by President Donald Trump in Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, is facing renewed scrutiny over sexual messages to a woman who is not his wife, along with past comments saying the Antichrist will be Jewish, even as he has made support for Israel a central part of his political and religious message.

Lahmeyer, the founder of Pastors for Trump, is running in Tuesday’s crowded Republican primary for the solidly GOP House seat. The race opened after Rep. Kevin Hern launched a campaign for the US Senate.

Lahmeyer has received Trump’s endorsement, as well as backing from House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

The 1st District includes Tulsa and much of the surrounding metropolitan area.

The seat has long been held by Republicans, making the GOP primary a key contest in determining who is likely to represent the district.

Lahmeyer’s campaign platform includes opposition to “sharia law,” and he has often framed his political message around conservative Christian themes.

He is also a prominent Christian Zionist who has repeatedly expressed strong support for Israel and the Jewish people.

But Lahmeyer now faces criticism over past comments and revelations that he exchanged sexual messages with a woman while married.

According to reporting by the Daily Mail, Lahmeyer exchanged intimate text messages with former Miss Oklahoma Caitlin Key, who worked as a fundraiser for his campaign.

The two later ended their online relationship after Lahmeyer’s wife discovered their messages.

Lahmeyer addressed the scandal on X, writing that “this matter was already dealt with privately between me and my wife, Kendra, through counsel and prayer with God and spiritual advisors.”

Separately, the candidate has in the past called for Jews to accept Jesus, and over the past few years has claimed that the Antichrist will be a Jewish homosexual worshipped by “the Jews.”

“The Antichrist will be a political leader of Jewish descent,” Lahmeyer said during a livestreamed church service on Oct. 8, 2024, one day after the first anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. “That is how the Jews will worship him.”

In the same sermon, Lahmeyer based the claim on his interpretation of biblical prophecy, saying the Antichrist will “speak great blasphemy” and will “have no regard for the gods of his fathers.”

The comments have drawn concern from some Jewish voters. In response to a 2023 post by Lahmeyer saying the Antichrist would be “Jewish” and a “homosexual,” one X user wrote, “Jackson, I am appalled at this post. I’m Jewish. I supported your run for office at every turn. I have children and grandchildren. Antisemitism is at an all-time high. I’m scared for them. This is abhorrent.”

Lahmeyer rejected the criticism at the time.

“This is not anti-Semitic AT ALL. The Christ is Jewish. Scripture indicates that the Antichrist will also be Jewish,” he wrote.

Lahmeyer has also said his support for Israel is rooted in his faith.

“I stand with the Jewish people because God Almighty stands with the Jewish people,” Lahmeyer wrote in an Oct. 9, 2025, post responding to claims that he had been paid by the Israeli government to promote pro-Israel content.

“So those of you who are out there saying I’m getting $7,000 a post, I wish that were true, but you’re an idiot, and you’re wrong.”

Trump reaffirmed his endorsement of Lahmeyer on Truth Social on Monday.

“It is my Great Honor to endorse MAGA Warrior, Jackson Lahmeyer, who is running to represent the fantastic people of Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, and has been with me from the very beginning of our Movement to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote.

Lahmeyer, who founded Pastors for Trump in 2022, has cultivated ties with members of Trump’s political circle.

He has hosted Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and FBI Director Kash Patel at his church or on podcast episodes, according to the JTA report. He is also a member of the White House Faith Office and Trump’s National Faith Advisory Board.

Lahmeyer has criticized prominent far-right pundits, including Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, over their positions on Israel.

“Both Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson, they’re Roman Catholics, so to them the church has replaced the Jewish people, the state of Israel, and that is why they can make these claims,” Lahmeyer said during an event marking the second anniversary of Oct. 7.

In an interview with NPR, however, Lahmeyer stopped short of fully condemning Carlson.

“Some very influential leaders, all of whom I like, Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Marjorie Taylor Greene, have taken a very controversial stance in regards to the nation of Israel,” he said.