Trump shares AI image depicting himself as Jesus after ‘weak on crime’ swipe at Pope Leo, deletes post later

The post comes amid an escalating war of words with Pope Leo XIV, whom Trump described as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” in a separate, lengthy message.

US President Donald Trump sparked a fresh controversy after sharing an AI-generated image depicting himself in a Christ-like form, appearing to “heal” the sick, on his platform Truth Social. Hours later, amid swift and continuous backlash, Trump deleted the post and said, “I thought it was me as a doctor.”

The post came amid an escalating war of words with Pope Leo XIV, whom Trump described as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” in a separate, lengthy message.

.@POTUS: “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… It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better.” pic.twitter.com/90wyeq1uaa

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 13, 2026

During a press briefing on Monday, Trump, after being asked about the now deleted Truth Social post said, “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… It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better.”

The exchange followed recent tensions between the two over immigration and the ongoing Iran conflict, with the Pope urging restraint and peace in public remarks.

In his post, Trump accused the pontiff of aligning with the “Radical Left” and criticised his positions on nuclear policy and US interventions, including Venezuela. He also questioned the circumstances of the Pope’s elevation, claiming it was politically motivated and linked to his own presidency.

“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump wrote, adding that the Pope “became Pope just because he is American.”

He also took a personal swipe, saying he preferred the Pope’s brother, whom he described as supportive of his “MAGA” movement.

Pope Leo pushed back Monday, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration.

The exchange marks a rare and direct public confrontation between a sitting US president and the papacy, highlighting deep divisions over war, migration, and the role of religion in politics.

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US President Donald Trump sparked a fresh controversy after sharing an AI-generated image depicting himself in a Christ-like form, appearing to “heal” the sick, on his platform Truth Social. Hours later, amid swift and continuous backlash, Trump deleted the post and said, “I thought it was me as a doctor.”

The post came amid an escalating war of words with Pope Leo XIV, whom Trump described as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” in a separate, lengthy message.

.@POTUS: “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… It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better.” pic.twitter.com/90wyeq1uaa

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 13, 2026

During a press briefing on Monday, Trump, after being asked about the now deleted Truth Social post said, “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… It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better.”

The exchange followed recent tensions between the two over immigration and the ongoing Iran conflict, with the Pope urging restraint and peace in public remarks.

In his post, Trump accused the pontiff of aligning with the “Radical Left” and criticised his positions on nuclear policy and US interventions, including Venezuela. He also questioned the circumstances of the Pope’s elevation, claiming it was politically motivated and linked to his own presidency.

“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump wrote, adding that the Pope “became Pope just because he is American.”

He also took a personal swipe, saying he preferred the Pope’s brother, whom he described as supportive of his “MAGA” movement.

Pope Leo pushed back Monday, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration.

The exchange marks a rare and direct public confrontation between a sitting US president and the papacy, highlighting deep divisions over war, migration, and the role of religion in politics.