President Donald Trump faced criticism this week after posting and then deleting an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure. The post, initially shared on Sunday, led to backlash from religious leaders and even some of his usual supporters.
Trump claimed he had thought the image showed him “as a doctor” and needing to work with the Red Cross, but did not explain why he ultimately removed the post. The incident occurred amid an escalating public dispute with Pope Leo, who has been critical of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
Further controversy arose from a separate post in May 2025, appearing to depict Trump as a Catholic pope following the death of Pope Francis. Church leaders and conservatives voiced disapproval over both the AI image and the remarks regarding Pope Leo.