Trump faces backlash over Jesus-style image
US President Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump posted an image in which he is depicted as a figure resembling Jesus Christ. He shared it on the social network Truth Social and later deleted it after criticism, Politico reports.
What is shown in the image
In the image, Trump is dressed in a white chiton and a red himation, and light is coming from his palms. With one hand, the president touches a man lying down in a hospital gown.
The head of state is surrounded by a nurse, a soldier, a man wearing a cap with the word "veteran," and a praying woman. In the background to the right of Trump, the Statue of Liberty is visible, with fireworks above it and planes flying.
Above the American leader's head are silhouettes of men in military uniforms with wings, also emitting light.
In the upper left and right corners are bald eagles — a symbol of the United States. On the right side of the image, the American flag is waving.
Reaction and deletion
The image caused a sharp reaction from social media users. In the comments, Trump was called a blasphemer and accused of disrespecting religious symbols.
The image was later deleted after criticism from some Christian commentators.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had personally asked Trump to take the image down.
AI-generated image of Trump (photo: Truth Social)
Reaction of the US president
Trump himself denied comparison to Jesus and told journalists that, in his opinion, he was depicted as a doctor.
"I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor, and had to do with Red Cross, as a Red Cross worker there, which we support," he said.
Some of the president's allies brushed it off, calling it a joke — Trump being Trump. After all, he had previously posted an image of himself as the Pope.
"Shit posting is what he does, so it's not something I'm particularly offended by, but I just think it's gratuitous, like, why do that? It just feels like a mosquito. It's annoying me," said one Catholic from MAGA, close to the White House.
Trump vs the Pope
The controversy around the image also unfolded amid criticism of Pope Leo XIV, who had earlier spoken out against the war in Iran and called for peace talks.
Trump sharply criticized Pope Leo XIV, calling him "weak on crime" and "terrible on foreign policy."
In response, Pope Leo XIV said he is not afraid of pressure from the White House and will continue to speak out against the war.
