Former President Donald Trump has deleted a controversial post from his Truth Social account that depicted him as Jesus Christ, following significant backlash from his MAGA base, who labelled the image as blasphemous. The removal came after religious right figures and supporters expressed outrage over the portrayal, which they deemed disrespectful to Christian beliefs.
Image Sparks Widespread Criticism
The image, which showed Trump dressed in a white robe with a glowing hand placed on the forehead of a man in a hospital bed, was posted shortly after he delivered a fiery rant against Pope Leo XIV on the same platform. This timing heightened the controversy, as it juxtaposed his criticism of the Pope with a visual that many interpreted as sacrilegious.
Backlash from Religious Right
Key figures within the religious right, who have historically been strong supporters of Trump, were among the first to voice their disapproval. They argued that depicting a political leader as a religious figure crosses ethical and spiritual boundaries, leading to accusations of blasphemy that quickly spread across social media and conservative circles.
The swift deletion of the post suggests that Trump or his team recognised the potential damage to his relationship with evangelical voters, a crucial demographic in his political base. This incident highlights the delicate balance Trump must maintain between provocative messaging and maintaining support from religious conservatives.
Context of the Post
The image was shared on the evening of Monday, 13 April 2026, as reported by Alex Woodward in New York. It followed a Truth Social post in which Trump blasted Pope Leo XIV, though the exact content of that rant remains unclear. The combination of attacking a religious leader while portraying himself in a divine light has raised questions about Trump's strategic communication and its impact on his public image.
As this story continues to develop, analysts are watching closely to see how Trump navigates the fallout, particularly in terms of voter perception and media coverage. The incident underscores ongoing tensions within the MAGA movement between loyalty to Trump and adherence to traditional religious values.
