Trump Launches Social Media Attack on Pope Leo While Praising His 'Maga' Brother
In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has directed his social media ire toward Pope Leo XIV while simultaneously praising the pontiff's older brother, Louis Prevost, whom he affectionately calls "Maga Louis." The incident highlights the unusual intersection of American politics and Vatican affairs, with Trump using his Truth Social platform to criticize the first American pope while elevating his conservative sibling.
The Presidential Papal Critique
On Sunday evening, Trump unleashed a characteristic online diatribe against Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, accusing him of being "WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy." In a lengthy post filled with his trademark capitalization, Trump made the extraordinary claim that the pope's appointment was somehow connected to his own presidency, suggesting the Catholic Church selected an American specifically to deal with him.
The president shared an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus alongside his critique, adding to the surreal nature of the exchange. This confrontation has been brewing since Pope Leo's election last year, during which he has consistently criticized Trump administration policies on immigration, Venezuela, and most recently, the conflict in Iran.
The 'Red Sheep' of the Family
Trump's most unexpected line of attack involved comparing Pope Leo unfavorably to his older brother Louis, declaring: "I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn't!" This statement has drawn attention to Louis Prevost, who has become known as the "red sheep" of the Prevost family for his conservative political views.
The Prevost brothers—Louis, John, and Robert (now Pope Leo)—were raised in a devout Catholic household in Chicago during the 1950s. Their parents held differing political perspectives, with their father leaning conservative and their mother more moderate, creating what Louis described as a "balance" the brothers had to navigate.
Divergent Paths from Childhood
From an early age, the brothers displayed different temperaments and interests. Louis, the eldest, was more boisterous and later served in the Navy during college, missing much of his younger brothers' teenage years. He would later joke about physically disciplining his siblings, saying "It was like just yesterday I was throwing him down the stairs, and now he's Pope!"
In contrast, Robert (now Pope Leo) showed spiritual inclinations from childhood, reportedly preferring to play priest rather than engage in typical childhood games. A neighbor once prophetically suggested he might become pope someday, though his brothers initially used this prediction for good-natured teasing. By eighth grade, Robert had already decided to pursue priesthood, eventually joining an Augustinian seminary in Michigan.
Political Polarization Within Family
While Pope Leo has continued the progressive legacy of his predecessor Francis, criticizing Trump's immigration policies and foreign interventions, his brother Louis has embraced the MAGA movement wholeheartedly. Now living in the predominantly Republican county of Port Charlotte, Florida, Louis describes himself as a "MAGA type" and has made headlines for controversial Facebook posts attacking Democratic figures and policies.
Last May, Louis shared anti-LGBT+ content and derogatory comments about Nancy Pelosi, while also criticizing Barack Obama and calling Biden voters "brain-dead morons." When questioned about these posts in an interview with Piers Morgan, Louis remained unapologetic, stating he wouldn't have posted them if he didn't believe them.
White House Connections and Family Dynamics
Louis's political alignment has earned him favor with Trump, who despite being Presbyterian and relying on spiritual adviser Paula White-Cain for religious guidance, appreciates the pope's brother's support. Several weeks after Louis's controversial social media activity, he and his wife Deborah visited the White House for a photo opportunity with Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office.
Despite their political differences, the Prevost brothers maintain a close relationship. Pope Leo has acknowledged that while they are "very close," they occupy "different places" politically. During his inaugural mass, the pope broke protocol to embrace Louis, who was seated beside Vice President Vance. Meanwhile, middle brother John maintains a lower profile, revealing only that he and the pope play Wordle together daily to stay connected.
This unusual family dynamic demonstrates how even the most sacred figures must navigate political divisions within their own families, mirroring the experiences of countless ordinary Americans during this era of heightened polarization.
