Donald Trump recently removed a post from his Truth Social account after facing criticism from his own right-wing followers, who labeled it blasphemous. The post featured an AI-generated image that likened Trump to Jesus Christ.
The controversial image depicted Trump wrapped in white attire with a red shawl, emitting a heavenly glow from his hands as he appeared to heal a patient in a hospital bed. Observing the scene were a soldier, a nurse, and others, seemingly in admiration.
Although the post was shared on Sunday evening, it quickly stirred a storm of backlash by Monday morning, particularly from Trump’s loyal supporters.
Among the critics was former Trump ally and Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who declared the post to be “more than blasphemy,” suggesting it carried “an Antichrist spirit.”
Earlier, Trump had also directed criticism at 70-year-old Pope Leo XIV, stating in a post: “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”
Conservative commentator Michael Knowles emphasized the importance of removing the post, advising, “I assume someone has already told him, but it behooves the President both spiritually and politically to delete the picture, no matter the intent.”
Right-wing influencer Riley Gaines said: ‘Why? Seriously, I cannot understand why he’d post this. Is he looking for a response? Does he actually think this? Either way, two things are true. 1) a little humility would serve him well 2) God shall not be mocked.’
The White House did not immediately respond for comment.
Trump deleted a viral post comparing himself to Jesus Christ after it drew accusations of blasphemy from some of his right-wing supporters
Pope Leo has traded barbs with the President over Trump’s war with Iran
Trump, who identifies as a Christian, has previously questioned his own salvation, saying: ‘I think I’m not maybe heaven-bound’ and ‘I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make heaven.’
The President’s posts sit awkwardly against the devout Catholic and Christian beliefs of his inner circle, not least Vice President JD Vance.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt is also a devout Christian, often spotted wearing a cross at press briefings and posting about church or scripture on social media.
The feud began when Leo, without naming Trump or the US directly, spoke out against war in an apparent reference to the US offensive against Iran.
Trump then unleashed a series of broadsides against the head of the Catholic Church.
‘Pope Leo is weak on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,’ Trump posted on social media on Sunday, adding, ‘I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.’
Despite some of his supporters backing the President’s comments ridiculing the Pontiff for wading into politics, the self-published image comparing himself to Christ was a bridge too far for some.
‘Trumps first post was fine. The Pope has a long documented political record. The follow-up posts? Would not be tolerated for any other religion,’ conservative pundit Mike Cernovich wrote.
VP JD Vance is a strong Catholic, and he has written book on his faith that is set to be published later this year
Trump’s post comparing himself to Jesus Christ came during Orthodox Easter Sunday
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt is also a devout Christian, often spotted wearing a cross at press briefings and posting about church or scripture on social media
OutKick host Jon Root wrote: ‘This is blasphemous.’
‘Trump portraying himself as Jesus Christ, descending from the clouds, healing the sick, with people praying to him, is reprehensible. If only there was a qualified leader of the White House Faith Office, and not a heretic, so this wouldn’t happen or at least would be called out,’ he continued.
Trump’s papal broadside even drew a response from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who seized on the controversy.
‘I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran, and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person. I wish you glory by Allah,’ the Iranian official wrote.
Even right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, one of Trump’s closest European allies, called his remarks ‘unacceptable.’
