Donald Trump has sparked a wave of controversy among conservatives after sharing an image of himself depicted as Jesus Christ. This move has intensified divisions within his evangelical supporters.

The image, which was generated using artificial intelligence, shows Trump in a Christ-like pose, dressed in a white robe with a red shawl, as he places his hands, emanating a divine glow, on a patient in a hospital bed. Surrounding him are figures of a soldier, nurse, and others gazing in reverence. In the background, American symbols like the Statue of Liberty and the national flag are visible, along with what appear to be angels, one of which intriguingly has horns.

This provocative depiction comes shortly after Trump criticized Pope Leo, who had urged the President to act as a ‘peacemaker’ in response to the escalating tensions with Iran over the weekend.

The reaction from conservative circles was swift and critical. Michael Knowles, a prominent conservative commentator, advised, “I assume someone has already told him, but it would be wise for the President, both spiritually and politically, to remove the image, regardless of his intentions.”

Riley Gaines, a well-known right-wing influencer, also expressed her bewilderment, stating, “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: a little humility would serve him well, and God shall not be mocked.”

Right-wing influencer Riley Gaines reacted: ‘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.’ 

Trump’s ridicule of the Pope got the attention of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who piled 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. 

Conservative activist and commentator Riley Gaines, an ally of the Trump administration, slammed the President for his post comparing himself to Jesus Christ 

Pope Leo has traded barbs with the President over Trump’s war with Iran

Ex-Trump ally and Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene went further, saying the post is ‘more than blasphemy’ and that ‘it’s an Antichrist spirit.’ 

The post came on the heels of Trump claiming that Leo, 70, was only made Pope ‘because he was an American’, adding: ‘If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.’

Trump’s bashing of the Pope and ‘blasphemous’ comparison to Christ come despite his closest advisors’ Catholic and Christian beliefs. 

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-Deremer, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. are all Catholic. 

Meanwhile, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and White House Chief of Staff Susie WIles are all either evangelical or Protestant. 

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 President’s feud with the Pope was sparked when Leo, without naming Trump or the US, spoke out about war, a nod to the US offensive against Iran. 

After Trump repeatedly commented on the Pope’s seemingly political posture, the President unleashed several broadsides against the head of the Catholic Church. 

VP JD Vance is a strong Catholic, and he has written book on his faith that is set to be published later this year

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

‘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 reacted to the Trump-Jesus image. 

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 ratcheted up the pressure on Tehran announcing a blockade on Iranian vessels starting Monday morning at 10:00 am ET after negotiations between VP JD Vance and officials from the Islamic Republic on Saturday ended without a deal. 

Trump claimed 158 Iranian naval vessels had been ‘completely obliterated’ and now lay at the bottom of the sea on Monday morning.

‘If any of these ships come anywhere close to our blockade, they will be immediately eliminated, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea,’ he wrote. ‘It is quick and brutal.’

In a note to seafarers on Monday, US Central Command said: ‘Any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization is subject to interception, diversion, and capture.

‘The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations.’

The blockade will apply to all ships leaving or seeking to dock at Iranian ports on either side of the Strait of Hormuz. 

The President is keenly aware that a prolonged war will spark economic turmoil, with warnings over inflation as the rising cost of fuel hits American families at the pump.

Oil prices, which had tumbled with the truce, jumped around 8 percent Monday, with both key WTI and Brent contracts topping $100 a barrel.