President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social late Sunday that showed him in a Christ-like role healing a sick patient while surrounded by followers.
The image included an American flag, eagles, the Statue of Liberty, and other figures in the sky.
The post came shortly after Trump attacked Pope Leo XIV in a lengthy statement, calling the pontiff “weak” on crime and foreign policy.
Trump criticized the Pope’s positions on Iran’s nuclear program and U.S. actions against Venezuela. He said he preferred the Pope’s brother Louis, whom he described as “all MAGA.”
MAGA supporters call it blasphemy
The image triggered sharp criticism from Trump’s usual allies.
Michael Knowles, a contributor to The Daily Wire, wrote on X: “I assume someone has already told him, but it behooves the President both spiritually and politically to delete the picture, no matter the intent.”
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Riley Gaines, host of The Riley Gaines Show on OutKick, posted: “God shall not be mocked.” She added that a little humility would serve Trump well.
Jon Root, a writer for OutKick, called the image “blasphemous” and “reprehensible.” Other conservative voices on X, including Tim Pool, Mike Cernovich, and Brilyn Hollyhand, also condemned the post as crossing a line. Comments on Truth Social itself showed strong negative reactions, with users calling it literal blasphemy.
This is not the first time Trump shared such imagery. He previously posted AI-generated pictures of himself as pope after the death of Pope Francis, which also drew some criticism. The latest image, however, produced a broader rebuke that crossed Catholic and Protestant lines within his base.
Feud with Pope Leo continues
The controversy unfolded as Trump pushed for a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following failed negotiations with Iran. A ceasefire was announced last week, but weekend talks did not resolve key issues.
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The Iran conflict has divided parts of Trump’s support base and raised gas prices in the United States. Pope Leo XIV has spoken against the war with Iran. On Monday, the Pope responded to Trump’s attacks by saying he has “no fear” of the Trump administration.
Trump has not deleted the image or commented publicly on the criticism as of Monday afternoon.
Why this matters
The backlash shows limits to loyalty even among Trump’s strongest supporters when religious lines are crossed. The episode highlights tensions inside the MAGA movement at a time when Trump is managing both foreign policy challenges and domestic political costs.
It also comes during ongoing disputes over the Iran war, which continue to affect U.S. energy prices and Republican unity. The public split on a religious issue marks a rare break among voices that have backed Trump through previous controversies.
