Trump Retreats from His AI-Generated "Jesus" Imagery After Widespread Backlash
WASHINGTON D.C. — President Donald Trump has removed a controversial AI-generated image from his Truth Social platform after facing a wave of condemnation from religious leaders and prominent conservative allies.
The image, which depicted the President in a white robe performing a "healing" gesture reminiscent of Jesus Christ, sparked accusations of blasphemy across the political spectrum. The removal follows a series of social media posts by the President targeting Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, calling him "weak" and "terrible for foreign policy."
"Faith is Not a Prop"
The backlash was notably intense from within the President's own conservative base. High-profile supporters and religious commentators took to social media to express their dismay:
Conservative Voices: Megan Basham of the Daily Wire labeled the post "outrageous blasphemy," while Fox News host Riley Gaines cautioned that "God shall not be mocked," suggesting the President would benefit from a "little humility."
Youth Leadership: Brilyn Hollyhand, former RNC Youth Advisory Council co-chair, criticized the use of faith as a "prop," stating that a leader's record should stand on its own without messianic imagery.
Tensions with the Vatican
The President’s friction with the Vatican has intensified as Pope Leo XIV begins an 11-day visit to Africa. Speaking from his flight to Algiers, the Pope reaffirmed his commitment to peace and multilateral diplomacy, stating, "I will continue to speak out loudly against war... someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way."
In the United States, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, defended the pontiff, clarifying that the Pope is a spiritual leader, not a political "rival." Internationally, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the President's attacks on the Holy Father as "unacceptable."
The "Red Cross" Defense
When questioned by reporters regarding the image, President Trump offered an alternative explanation. He claimed the AI-generated picture actually depicted him as a medical professional or a Red Cross worker, blaming the "fake news" for the religious interpretation.
"I don't want to get into a debate with [the Pope]," the President added, while simultaneously reiterating that he does not believe a Pope should criticize a sitting U.S. President.
