Trump sparks controversy with AI image depicting him as Jesus after criticizing Pope

New York City – The Financial News, correspondent Lee Byung-chul.U.S. President Donald Trump has fueled controversy after posting, then deleting, an artificial intelligence (AI) image that portrays him as a Jesus-like figure shortly after he criticized the Pope. The backlash has grown even within conservative circles, where critics say he crossed a line by blending religious symbolism with political messaging.
On the 13th (local time), Trump posted an image on the social media platform Truth Social showing him in white and red robes healing the sick. The image appears to have been generated by AI and depicts him placing his hand on the forehead of a man lying in a hospital bed. The composition is reminiscent of traditional depictions of Jesus healing the sick.
The post appeared shortly after Trump attacked Pope Leo XIV, calling him "soft on crime" and "terrible on foreign policy." The image was uploaded without any explanation and has since been deleted.
Pope Leo XIV recently condemned joint military actions by the United States of America and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran, describing them as "irrational and inhumane violence." Responding to Trump's criticism, the Pope said, "I am not afraid of the Trump administration and will continue to deliver the message of the Gospel."
After the post, criticism spread quickly in political and religious circles. Even conservative figures argued that he had "crossed a line," while Debbie Dingell, a Democratic Party member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a Catholic Church believer, denounced it as "an insulting act that undermines the core of faith."
This is not the first time Trump has tried to amplify his political message using AI-generated images. In 2025, following the death of Pope Francis, he sparked outrage by posting an image depicting himself as the Pope. In February of the same year, he also likened himself to a "king" by sharing an image of himself wearing a crown.



pride@fnnews.com Lee Byung-chul Reporter