On the 12th, U.S. President Trump posted a message on social media criticizing Pope Leo XIV for being “weak,” and also uploaded an AI-generated image that appeared to depict him as Jesus, shocking all walks of life. When Trump was asked about his criticisms of the Pope on the 13th, he resolutely refused to admit any fault, even saying that he was merely responding because the Pope had criticized him first. As for the image, Trump claimed it depicted him as a doctor treating patients.
In the image, Trump is dressed in a white robe and red sash, with his glowing hand placed on a man's forehead. Surrounding him are soldiers and nurses kneeling in prayer. The image is clearly drawing a parallel between Trump and Jesus Christ.
Responding to reporters’ questions on the 13th, Trump said: “Yes, I really did post that image. I thought it was painting me as a doctor, something related to the Red Cross. In my view it was just a doctor trying to make someone feel better. And I really have made everyone feel better—a lot better.”
Trump deleted the image on the same day. He also claimed that it was the “fake news” media that misrepresented the meaning of the image, leading to much criticism. However, Trump did not explain why he took down the image.
As for the lengthy post in which he blasted Pope Leo XIV the previous day, Trump still refused to apologize. He said: “He is very much against what I did in Iran, but you can’t allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. Pope Leo won’t be happy with the result. I think he’s weak on crime and other matters. So I won’t apologize.”
Trump continued: “He (the Pope) publicly criticized me first. I was just responding to the Pope, that’s all.”
Vance: The President Was Just Joking
U.S. Vice President Vance, himself a Catholic, defended Trump’s post during an interview with Fox News on the evening of the 13th.
Vance said: “The President was just making a joke,” stating that Trump later deleted the image “because he realized a lot of people don’t understand his sense of humor.”