Carrie Prejean Boller, a former beauty queen and longtime Trump supporter, was removed from the White House’s Religious Liberty Commission after expressing opposition to certain definitions of antisemitism and defending pro-Palestinian views. The ouster has sparked divisions within conservative circles, with some prominent figures criticizing her and others coming to her defense. The incident highlights tensions over Israel and religion in MAGA politics.
Carrie Prejean Boller emerged in national conversations last month during a meeting of the White House’s Religious Liberty Commission, a group focused on threats to religious liberty, particularly for conservative Christians. In the meeting, Prejean Boller opposed the definitions of antisemitism used by the commission, arguing that Christians could be labeled antisemites for quoting the Bible. She also insisted that Candace Owens has never said anything antisemitic, despite Owens' known criticisms of Jewish influence in society.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the commission’s chair, announced a couple of days later that Prejean Boller had been removed from the group. Sen. Ted Cruz described her as an “Israel-hating crazed antisemite,” while Laura Loomer called her a “stupid bitch.” In contrast, Sarah Palin and Michael Flynn defended her, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations praised her for speaking the truth. On Friday, Tucker Carlson interviewed her on his podcast.
Prejean Boller, who has supported Donald Trump for over a decade—including serving on his 2020 campaign advisory board—wrote a six-page response on X to Trump, stating: “To say your Presidency is a disappoint to your supporters is an understatement.” Her views shifted after converting to Catholicism last April, leading her to reject Christian Zionism as misguided Protestant thinking.
Her initial fame came from opposing gay marriage during the 2009 Miss California pageant, citing religious beliefs, which she said cost her the crown. Trump, then owner of the Miss Universe franchise, defended her but later approved her firing over contract issues.
In the meeting, Prejean Boller argued that panelists conflated critiques of Israel with critiques of Jews, a point she later elaborated in an interview with the American Conservative, saying many Jewish Americans face real antisemitism but the commission only views Zionist Jews as legitimate. She wore a Palestinian flag pin, advocated for a “free Palestine,” and described Gaza events as a “genocide.” She told the American Conservative: “As a pro-life Christian, I couldn’t deny the horrific suffering that the Palestinians were enduring.”
CAIR commended her for encouraging solidarity between Muslims, Christians, and Jews, and Sameerah Munshi, the commission’s sole Muslim member, resigned in protest. However, Prejean Boller has shared posts calling “Zionist Israel” the enemy of the Christian world, referenced Epstein files on Zionist power, and amplified content from Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist. Supporters include the group Catholics for Catholics, a Jan. 6 insurrectionist, and Steve Bannon.
Prejean Boller claims her anti-Zionism aligns with Catholic teaching, though the Vatican recognizes Israel as a state. She criticized Lindsey Graham’s views, saying: “Lindsey Graham says that if you don’t bless Israel, then God’s going to curse you. I mean, this is crazy... This is heretical teaching, and I, as a Catholic, reject that.”
