Trump's Late-Night Social Media Blast Targets Pontiff
In a remarkable late-night social media outburst, former President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Pope Leo XIV, branding the pontiff as "WEAK" on crime and "terrible" on foreign policy matters. The extraordinary criticism came during a lengthy Truth Social posting spree that also featured an artificial intelligence-generated image depicting Trump dressed as Jesus Christ performing miraculous healings.
Nuclear Stance and Pandemic Claims Spark Conflict
The former president's ire appears to have been triggered by recent comments from the Vatican regarding international affairs. Last week, Pope Leo XIV described Trump's warning that "an entire civilisation will die tonight" in reference to Iran as "unacceptable." The pontiff further suggested that a "delusion of omnipotence" was exacerbating tensions between the United States and Iran.
"I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon," Trump declared in his social media post, directly challenging the religious leader's diplomatic approach to global security concerns.
Controversial Claims About Papal Selection Process
In perhaps his most provocative assertion, Trump suggested that his own political presence influenced the Catholic Church's decision-making process. The former president claimed that Pope Leo XIV, elected in May 2025, was "a shocking surprise" who "wasn't on any list to be Pope."
"He was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump," the former commander-in-chief wrote. "If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican."
Family Comparisons and Pandemic Allegations
The social media tirade took a personal turn when Trump expressed preference for the pope's brother over the pontiff himself. "I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA," Trump stated, referencing his political movement. "He gets it, and Leo doesn't!"
Trump further escalated tensions by making unverified claims about the Catholic Church's conduct during the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging that church leadership had been "arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else" during the health crisis.
Visual Provocation Through Artificial Intelligence
Accompanying the textual criticism was an AI-generated visual that has drawn significant attention. The image portrays Trump in biblical-era clothing, resembling traditional depictions of Jesus Christ, with hands outstretched as if healing the sick. This digital creation was shared simultaneously with the verbal attacks on the pontiff, creating a multimedia assault that blends political criticism with religious imagery.
The combination of verbal attacks on the pope's policy positions, claims about papal selection being influenced by Trump's presidency, and the provocative AI-generated imagery represents one of the most direct confrontations between a former U.S. president and the leader of the Catholic Church in recent memory.
