The Esau McCaulley Podcast - Can Pastors Be Disqualified & Trump's Strange New Obsession

Former Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz is back in the spotlight with a new book about surviving infidelity, but should some sins permanently disqualify a pastor from ministry? Esau, Malcolm, and Mike discuss the difference between forgiveness and restoration, the dangers of celebrity pastors, and the Christian publishing industry's role in rehabilitating fallen leaders. Then, President Trump has developed a strange new obsession with people's backsides, and a Republican candidate in Ohio has released a political ad that takes dirty campaigning to a whole new level. What happens when Christians become so committed to political victories that they abandon their moral convictions? And is there any bottom left for American politics to hit?

0:00 - Theme Song

1:35 - Carl Lentz and Abuse of Power

7:20 - Monetizing Infidelity?

35:36 - Sponsor - World Relief - World Relief's newest guide, Beyond the Ballot, was designed to equip you with relevant facts, tools and resources to engage immigration and displacement issues with understanding, compassion and courage: https://worldrelief.org/holypost

36:53 - Vivek Ramaswamy Ad Controversy

49:25 - End Credits

Articles Covered:

Carl Lentz:

https://www.wsj.com/style/hillsong-carl-laura-lentz-book-22fa7c1d

Trump's Inappropriate Comments:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/25/trump-nicki-minaj-mike-rogers-michigan-rally

Article on Vivek Ramaswamy's Ad:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/24/us/politics/vivek-ramaswamy-ad-ohio-amy-acton.html