Megyn Kelly, host of The Megyn Kelly Show, has launched a scathing critique against former President Donald Trump and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, following a controversial series of events involving religious imagery and diplomatic tensions. The broadcaster, who identifies as Catholic, expressed particular outrage over Trump's decision to post an artificial intelligence-generated image that appeared to depict him as Jesus Christ, which was later removed from his Truth Social account.
Kelly's Blistering Rebuke of Trump's Actions
In a detailed commentary, Kelly described Trump's AI post as "absolutely absurd" and "offensive," asserting that it crossed into blasphemous territory. "It is obviously him purporting to be God. That is what he's doing. And it is blasphemous by any definition of that word," she stated emphatically. Kelly also addressed Trump's subsequent feud with Pope Leo XIV, which erupted after the pontiff criticized U.S. military actions in Iran without directly naming the former president.
Analyzing Trump's Response to Criticism
Kelly acknowledged that Trump's retaliatory behavior is often predictable when he feels attacked, whether by journalists, commentators, or religious leaders. "It was predictable. And no Catholic loves this, but you could see it coming, and it's hard to say that Trump is completely out of line, because whenever he gets attacked, whether it's by a journalist or a talking head or a pope, he punches back," she explained. However, she strongly disputed Trump's claim that the pope was targeting him because he was fulfilling his electoral mandate.
"Are you, Mr. President? Were you elected to start another Middle East war? I don't think so," Kelly retorted, challenging the narrative that his actions align with voter expectations. She expressed confusion over why Trump would antagonize religious communities that have historically supported him, noting a pattern of upsetting various faith groups, including Muslims the previous week.
Religious Mockery and Broader Implications
Kelly voiced her frustration with what she perceives as Trump's increasing tendency to mock religious beliefs. "We would appreciate not being mocked for our religious beliefs, something you seem to be increasingly fond of doing across most but not all religions," she remarked. She speculated that this behavior might selectively avoid certain groups, such as Jewish or Israeli communities, suggesting a calculated approach.
Criticism of Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth
Beyond Trump, Kelly also targeted Pete Hegseth for incorporating religious references into Pentagon briefings about the Iran conflict. She argued that invoking God or Jesus in discussions about military casualties is inappropriate. "The bombing of Iran, in which 170 young girls were killed, that was not in the name of God. Okay? Definitely not in the name of Jesus. I wish you would just check the Jesus talk, the God talk at the Pentagon briefings," she asserted.
Kelly emphasized that while personal prayer is acceptable, linking divine sanction to warfare is problematic. "You pray on Sunday, pray every morning on your knees to God, but while you're updating us on the number you've killed, which necessarily has included some civilians, – don't mention Jesus, don't talk about God. Don't act like he's sanctioning what you're doing," she advised.
Trump's Defense and the AI Image Controversy
Trump defended the now-deleted AI post by claiming it was misinterpreted. Standing outside the Oval Office with McDonald's food, he told reporters, "It wasn't a depiction. 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, which we support and only the fake news could come up with that one." He added, "It's supposed to be me as a doctor making people better and I do make people better."
The image, which showed Trump in white robes with glowing hands healing a patient, sparked backlash even among his right-wing supporters, leading to its removal. This incident follows Trump's previous admissions about his spiritual uncertainties, where he questioned his own salvation, saying, "I think I'm not maybe heaven-bound" and "I'm not sure I'm going to be able to make heaven."
Feud with Pope Leo XIV Escalates
The tension with Pope Leo XIV intensified after Trump posted on social media, "If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican," and criticized the pope as "weak on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy." He also accused the pontiff of being soft on Iran's nuclear ambitions. In response, Pope Leo affirmed his lack of fear toward the Trump administration and committed to advocating for peace.
"I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do," the pope declared during a flight to Algeria. He emphasized the need for a better approach to global conflicts, stating, "Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say: there's a better way to do this."
Kelly's commentary underscores the ongoing debate over the intersection of politics, religion, and personal conduct, highlighting how Trump's actions continue to provoke strong reactions from both supporters and critics alike.
