13. April 2026

Trump Posts, Deletes Picture of Himself as Jesus; Faces Immediate Bipartisan Backlash

WASHINGTON-- President Donald Trump sparked swift bipartisan criticism Monday after posting a stylized image of himself on his Truth Social platform depicting him draped in flowing religious robes and illuminated by a beam of divine light.

The image, which appeared without explanation, drew rebukes from both Democrats and Republicans, some of whom described it as inappropriate and others who questioned the message it was intended to convey.

The image showed Trump dressed in a white and red robe — attire commonly associated with artistic depictions of Jesus Christ — as a beam of golden light radiated from his hand while he touched the forehead of a sick man. A woman stood nearby with her hands clasped in prayer, reinforcing the religious imagery that critics said evoked divine healing.

Later Monday, Trump told reporters he had not interpreted the image in those terms. Speaking as he received a McDonald’s delivery at the Oval Office, he said he believed the depiction showed him as a physician, not a religious figure.

“I thought it was me as a doctor,” Trump said of the post, which was later deleted following the backlash. “Only the fake news could come up with that.”

he post’s removal marked a rare instance of Trump backing down from content he had shared online. The apparently AI-generated image was posted shortly after he used the same platform to criticize American-born Pope Leo XIV, a prominent opponent of the U.S. war in Iran.

The image drew hours of backlash, including from religious leaders and Christian supporters who said they were stunned and offended by what they viewed as Trump portraying himself as a Christ-like figure.

Trump did not apologize for either post. He also stood by remarks made days earlier in which he threatened to “wipe out” Iranian civilization, telling Fox News on Sunday, “I’m fine with it,” and arguing the statement had helped bring Tehran to the negotiating table. His post calling Pope Leo XIV “weak on crime” remained online, alongside a wave of criticism from detractors questioning his conduct.

As a rule, Trump rarely apologizes for statements or actions that provoke backlash, a pattern his White House allies have described as part of a blunt and unfiltered leadership style. Even so, pressure from key constituencies has at times prompted him to remove content.

In February, Trump deleted a video widely condemned as racist that depicted former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes, after several Republicans — including Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the Senate’s only Black Republican — urged him to take it down. Trump later said he had not viewed the full video and blamed a staff member, but did not issue an apology.

“I just looked at the first part — it was about voter fraud in some place, Georgia,” Trump told reporters at the time. “I didn’t see the whole thing.”

The latest controversy unfolded as Trump addressed reporters during a staged fast food delivery at the White House tied to an administration-backed policy eliminating taxes on overtime pay and tips. The delivery was made by Sharon Simmons, who wore a red shirt reading “DoorDash Grandma” and declined to engage with Trump on unrelated political questions, instead emphasizing the policy message.

Standing beside her, Trump again declined to apologize for his criticism of the pope. “I’m just responding to Pope Leo,” he said. “There’s nothing to apologize for. He’s wrong.”

Pope Leo XIV has emerged as one of the most prominent critics of the U.S. military campaign in Iran, condemning what he has described as the moral and human costs of the conflict, as well as broader themes of materialism and political power.

In a lengthy post Sunday, Trump questioned the circumstances of Leo’s selection, suggesting the pope’s American background played a role. On Monday, Leo told reporters he had “no fear” of the Trump administration and would continue to speak out.

“I am not afraid of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel,” he said.

Prominent Catholic members of the Trump administration, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, had not publicly commented as of Monday.

The image of Trump in religious imagery also drew criticism from conservative figures. Riley Gaines, an activist, wrote on social media, “God shall not be mocked,” while David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network urged Trump to remove the post.

The episode echoed a similar moment last year, when Trump posted an image of himself dressed as pope following the death of Pope Francis and joked about succeeding him.