Trump Escalates Religious Controversy With AI Jesus Embraces After Pope Feud

A religious storm is brewing around President Donald Trump after he posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social that many Christians say showed him as Jesus Christ. The image showed Trump in a white robe and red sash, with glowing hands placed on a sick man’s forehead. Ethereal light surrounded him. A nurse, a soldier, a praying woman, and even a demon appeared in the background. The sky behind him featured U.S. flags, soldiers, and eagles.

Trump posted the image Sunday night and deleted it about 12 hours later, which is rare for him. The timing wasn’t great. He’d been in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, who pushed back against Trump’s criticism of his foreign policy and crime stances. The pope said he had “no fear” of the Trump administration and that he’d continue promoting the gospel.

On Monday, Trump told reporters he thought the image showed him as a doctor, not Jesus. He said, “I do make people better,” and blamed the Jesus comparison on “fake news.” He said he removed the post after learning people were upset.

Not everyone bought that explanation. Evangelical Christians and conservatives led much of the backlash. The Knights Templar International called the image “offensive blasphemy” and demanded it be taken down. They later praised Trump for deleting it. Some Christian Arkansans also spoke out strongly against the post.

But not all Christian voices were critical. Franklin Graham defended Trump, calling the backlash “a lot to do about nothing.” Graham said Trump didn’t knowingly depict himself as Jesus and thanked him for the quick removal.

The controversy’s tied to a bigger picture. Trump’s been facing criticism from both sides over his handling of the Iran war and a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The AI post has added a religious dimension to that tension. It’s also not Trump’s first AI controversy. He’s previously shared AI images of himself as pope and of the Obamas depicted as apes. Conservative commentator Megan Basham was among those who called for the post’s removal and a public apology from Trump over the image. Political activist Brilyn Hollyhand also weighed in, condemning the portrayal as gross and deeply inappropriate.