Donald Trump has once again shared an AI-generated image portraying a religious-style depiction of himself, along with a peculiar caption suggesting that “God might be playing his Trump card.” The US president posted a screenshot on his Truth Social account of a post featuring a Jesus-like figure embracing him, in what appears to be a provocative gesture amidst his ongoing dispute with Pope Leo XIV, a prominent critic of US policies and the Israeli conflict with Iran. The image, originally posted by an account called “Irish for Trump” (@Dkelly4congress), shows a Jesus-like figure with long hair and a beard standing beside Trump, with both arms wrapped around him.
The post is accompanied by the caption: “I was never a very religious man… but doesn’t it seem, with all these satanic, demonic, child sacrificing monsters being exposed… that God might be playing his Trump card!” Trump shared both the image and the caption, expressing his personal view that, despite potential disapproval from “radical left lunatics,” he finds the depiction “quite nice.”
This latest development follows Trump’s previous sharing and subsequent deletion of an AI-generated image portraying himself as a Jesus-like figure appearing to heal a sick man in a hospital bed. The initial Truth Social post, which was published on Sunday night and removed by Monday morning, received criticism from various quarters of the US political landscape, including some of Trump’s own supporters who deemed it blasphemous.
In a later statement to CBS News, Trump explained that he removed the image due to the confusion it caused among people, emphasizing his desire to prevent any misunderstandings. With over 70 million Catholics in the US, constituting around 20% of the population, the incident gained significant attention.
Prior to sharing the image on Sunday, Trump launched a verbal attack against Pope Leo XIV on Truth Social, characterizing him as ineffective in handling crime and foreign policy matters. He particularly criticized the Pope’s stance on Iran’s nuclear capabilities and America’s actions in Venezuela, accusing him of inadequacy in dealing with such issues.
Amidst the controversy, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned what he described as the “desecration of Jesus,” while also showing support for Pope Leo XIV. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a Catholic and a close ally of Trump, labeled the US president’s comments about the Pope as “unacceptable,” emphasizing the Pope’s role as a beacon of peace and moral authority.
Responding to the escalating tensions, Pope Leo XIV asserted his commitment to upholding the Gospel’s message and expressed no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out on critical issues. The ongoing clash between Trump and the Pope has stirred debate and criticism across various international circles.