Donald Trump is facing strong backlash after sharing an AI-generated image of himself portraying a Christ-like figure, shortly after launching a public attack on Pope Leo XIV.
The image, posted on Truth Social on April 12, shows Trump dressed in robes and appearing to heal a man. The post came minutes after he criticised the Pope as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.”
The reaction was swift. Critics, including political figures and religious leaders, have condemned the image as inappropriate, with some calling it “blasphemous.”
Former ally Marjorie Taylor Greene also spoke out, saying she “completely denounce[s] this” and criticised both the image and Trump’s remarks about the Pope.
“On Orthodox Easter, President Trump attacked the Pope because the Pope is rightly against Trump’s war in Iran and then he posted this picture of himself as if he is replacing Jesus,” Greene wrote. “This comes after last week’s post of his evil tirade on Easter and then threatening to kill an entire civilization. I completely denounce this and I’m praying against it!!!”
Senior Catholic figures also pushed back. Archbishop Paul S. Coakley said he was “disheartened” by Trump’s comments, stressing that the Pope is a spiritual leader, not a political rival.
“I am disheartened that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father,” Coakley wrote. “Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls.”
The controversy has further intensified an already growing clash between Trump and the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV responded by reaffirming that his role is to promote peace and the message of the Gospel, not engage in political disputes.
Online, even some of Trump’s supporters questioned the post, with users urging him to delete it and calling the imagery disrespectful.
