# New SBC President Willy Rice and His Stance on Donald Trump

**Published:** 2026-06-12T02:15:02.435Z  
**Topic:** These are the countries moving to ban social media for children  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/9778711d-98b1-4bdd-91b8-d0ef92dee192

Newly elected Southern Baptist Convention president Willy Rice has a nuanced record regarding Donald Trump, balancing political support with theological

Pastor Willy Rice was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) at the denomination’s 2026 annual meeting, securing approximately 57 percent of the vote [1]. His election is viewed as a victory for a conservative bloc seeking to shift the church away from what they characterize as "woke" or liberal positions [1].

**Key takeaways**
* Willy Rice was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2026, defeating South Carolina pastor Josh Powell [1].
* Rice has publicly criticized a social media post by Donald Trump that depicted the former president as a Christ-like figure, calling it "wrong" [1].
* Following the January 6 Capitol attack, Rice warned against the "unhealthy and dangerous co-mingling of religion and politics" within the evangelical movement [1].
* Rice’s campaign received support from conservative groups like the Center for Baptist Leadership, which has ties to political advocacy aligned with the Trump era [1].

## A Nuanced Political Record
Rice’s public commentary on Donald Trump has been characterized by a mix of theological caution and acknowledgment of the political support Trump receives from many Christians [1]. In April, Rice condemned a now-deleted social media post from the former president that portrayed him in a Christ-like manner, stating that "God alone deserves our worship and highest praise" [1]. While Rice noted he remained thankful for many of the president's actions, he emphasized that human leaders must walk in "circumspect humility" [1].

This critical stance follows a more pointed critique Rice authored in a 2021 blog post written after the January 6 Capitol attack. In that post, Rice expressed concern over the "unhealthy political passions" revealed within the church and argued that the evangelical movement’s overwhelming support for Trump had led to an idolization of political figures [1]. He explicitly wrote that "God never called us to Make America Great Again" and warned that the church should not look to political leaders for salvation [1].

## Conservative Alignment and Internal Debate
Despite his past criticisms, Rice’s recent victory was bolstered by influential conservative networks, including the Center for Baptist Leadership [1]. William Wolfe, the leader of that organization and a former official in the Trump administration, endorsed Rice and described the election as a "major vindication" of the conservative reform movement within the SBC [1]. 

The tension between political engagement and religious identity remains a defining debate for the denomination [1]. When questioned about controversial rhetoric from some of his supporters regarding race and immigration, Rice suggested that his role is to listen to all perspectives rather than silencing dissenting voices [1]. His platform as president focuses on a return to conservative theological boundaries, including support for a ban on women pastors and a rejection of what he terms "cultural riptide" influences within the church leadership [1].

## Why it matters
The election of Willy Rice signals a significant ideological shift for the Southern Baptist Convention as it navigates its relationship with American political culture [1]. By championing a "conservative resurgence," Rice aims to address concerns among rank-and-file Baptists who feel the denomination has drifted too far toward secular social trends [1]. As the SBC moves forward, the balance between maintaining its doctrinal positions and managing the political passions of its members will likely remain a central challenge for his presidency [1].

## Sources
1. Newsweek — [What new Southern Baptist president has said about Donald Trump](https://www.newsweek.com/what-pastor-willy-rice-new-sbc-president-said-about-donald-trump-12051920)
2. Associated Press — [Trump says ‘I love the inflation,’ Bill Gates testifies about his Epstein ties, ...](https://apnews.com/newsletter/morning-wire/june-11-2026)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "New SBC President Willy Rice and His Stance on Donald Trump", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/9778711d-98b1-4bdd-91b8-d0ef92dee192