Trump deletes heavily criticized post showing in Jesus-like figure

International

A SOCIAL media post that drew both confusion and criticism has since been taken down by US President Donald Trump.

The now deleted AI-generated image was widely interpreted as depicting Trump in a Jesus-like role sparked strong reactions online.

The image showed Trump wearing a white robe and placing a glowing hand on the forehead of a sick man in a hospital bed—visuals critics said resembled traditional depictions of Jesus Christ healing the infirm.

The background included the Statue of Liberty, a large US flag, fighter jets, an eagle, as well as a nurse, a praying woman, and what appeared to be a soldier.

In a BBC report, Trump confirmed he posted the image but rejected the interpretation, telling reporters he saw it differently.

“It’s supposed to be as a doctor making people better,” he said. “And I do make people better. I make people a lot better.” He later told CBS News he deleted the post because he “didn’t want to have anybody be confused. People were confused.”

The image was posted shortly after Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” over his stance on the US and Israeli military actions in Iran. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has repeatedly condemned the conflict, describing it as leading to “absurd and inhuman violence,” and saying he has “no fear” of speaking out.

Backlash came quickly, including from figures aligned with Trump. Christian activist Sean Feucht wrote, “This should be deleted immediately,” adding, “There’s no context where this is acceptable.” Conservative commentator Riley Gaines also reacted, saying, “God shall not be mocked.”

David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network likewise criticized the post, stating, “This goes too far. It crosses the line. A supporter can back the mission and reject this.”

Trump did not issue an apology, standing by his broader policies.

“Pope Leo said things that are wrong,” he said. “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.”

The AI-generated image is not the first instance in which posts from Donald Trump’s Truth Social account have drawn backlash.

Earlier this year, a controversial video portraying Barack Obama and Michelle Obama in a racist manner was uploaded and later taken down.

The White House initially dismissed the issue, describing it as an “internet meme video” and urging critics to “stop the fake outrage,” but the post was eventually removed following strong criticism, including from Republican lawmakers, with officials later attributing the upload to a staffer’s mistake. (Samantha Faye Alcoma, CTU-TC BAEL-ELSD Intern)