Trump deletes controversial Truth Social post where he appears Jesus-like
Trump deletes controversial Truth Social post where he appears Jesus-like
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, removed a contentious image from his Truth Social platform that portrayed him as a Christ-like figure. The AI-generated graphic showed Trump in a white robe, with a radiant hand on the forehead of a hospitalized individual, evoking comparisons to religious depictions of Jesus healing the sick. The visual included the Statue of Liberty, a large American flag, fighter jets, an eagle, a nurse, a praying woman, and a uniformed soldier, sparking sharp criticism from both political factions and even some of his staunchest allies.
The post followed Trump’s earlier scathing remarks about Pope Leo XIV, who had condemned the U.S. and Israeli military actions in Iran. Trump later acknowledged the image, insisting it showed him as a doctor alongside a Red Cross worker. “It’s supposed to be as a doctor making people better,” he stated. “And I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”
Reactions from Critics
Sean Feucht, a Christian activist, called for immediate removal of the image, arguing it lacked appropriate context. “There’s no context where this is acceptable,” he added. Riley Gaines, a prominent conservative figure, asserted, “God shall not be mocked,” while faith-based media outlets like Christian Broadcasting Network also voiced disapproval. David Brody, a journalist there, wrote, “This goes too far. It crosses the line,” urging supporters to back the mission but reject the imagery.
Trump defended his stance, claiming the image was a reflection of his role in aiding others. He expressed no regret over the post, even as the Vatican criticized the U.S. and Israeli operations in Iran, calling them “absurd and inhuman.” Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, emphasized his commitment to spreading the Gospel. “I have no fear of the Trump administration,” he said. “I am here to speak out loudly about the message of the Gospel.”
History of Controversy
The AI-generated image marked another instance of controversy on Trump’s Truth Social account. Earlier in February, a racially charged video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes had been posted and subsequently deleted. The White House initially defended the clip as an “internet meme video,” asking critics to “stop the fake outrage.” However, after backlash from Republican senators, the post was removed, with officials attributing the error to a staff member’s mistake.
Despite past incidents, Trump remained defiant, refusing to apologize for the latest post. “Pope Leo said things that are wrong,” he argued. “He was very much against what I’m doing with regard to Iran, and you cannot have a nuclear Iran. Pope Leo would not be happy with the end result.”
