Donald Trump has claimed that an AI-generated image posted to his Truth Social account, which depicted him as Jesus Christ, was actually intended to show him as a doctor. The post was deleted after backlash from far-right Christian figures who accused him of blasphemy.
The image showed Trump in a white robe and red sash, with a glowing hand on a man's forehead in a hospital bed, surrounded by patriotic symbols. Trump told reporters on Monday: 'I did post it and I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do with Red Cross. It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better.' He blamed 'fake news' for the comparison to Jesus and refused to apologise to Pope Leo XIV, whom he had earlier labelled 'WEAK' on crime and 'terrible' on foreign policy.
The post, which was online for over 12 hours, drew sharp criticism from prominent Trump supporters. Christian performer Sean Feucht wrote: 'This should be deleted immediately. There’s no context where this is acceptable.' Riley Gaines, a figure in the administration's anti-trans sports policies, warned: 'God shall not be mocked.' Right-wing commentator Brilyn Hollyhand called it 'gross blasphemy,' adding that 'faith is not a prop.'
Trump has long courted the Christian nationalist movement, and his administration has increasingly used official social media accounts to share religious messages. However, the explicit depiction of himself as Jesus, following an attack on the Pope, prompted swift condemnation from evangelical allies. Daily Wire contributor Megan Basham wrote: 'I don’t know if the President thought he was being funny or if he is under the influence of some substance... he needs to take this down immediately and ask for forgiveness.'
