On Monday, President Trump clarified his decision to remove an AI-generated image from social media that appeared to portray him as Jesus Christ, citing the “confusion” it caused. He also took the opportunity to make a playful remark about conservative activist Riley Gaines.

“I usually don’t like to remove posts,” Trump shared with CBS News when asked about the deletion from his Truth Social account, “but I wanted to avoid any misunderstandings.”

“People were indeed confused,” the president remarked.

Earlier in the day, Trump had mentioned to reporters that he initially believed the image—which showed him dressed in flowing white and red robes, with one hand placed on a man’s forehead in a hospital bed and a heavenly light emanating from his other hand—depicted him as a doctor related to the Red Cross.

Trump reiterated Monday night that “most people thought” the same thing.

“The Red Cross was right there, with medical personnel around me, and I was portrayed as a doctor, just having a bit of fun playing the role and helping people,” he explained to the media outlet. “That’s how it was interpreted.”

The president denied that criticism from conservative activist and his frequent supporter Riley Gaines played a factor in his decision to delete the post. 

“I didn’t listen to Riley Gaines. I’m not a big fan of Riley, actually,” Trump said. 

Gaines posted that she couldn’t understand why the president would make such a post. 

“Is he looking for a response? Does he actually like this?” the former NCAA swimmer wrote on X, adding, “a little humility would serve him well” and “God shall not be mocked.” 

After Trump’s interview with CBS News, Gaines indicated that she would continue to support the president and his agenda. 

“The truth social post missed the mark. It’s now deleted. Amazing!” she wrote on X, adding, “I don’t get my feelings hurt easy and I know with the President it’s really not personal.

“I want to spend eternity in a real place called Heaven. I’d love for Trump to be there too. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. I’ll keep doing my part by speaking truth & doing my best to lead others to Christ.”