Overview
- A Washington Post–ABC News–Ipsos poll released Wednesday found 87% of Americans reacted negatively to President Trump posting an AI image depicting himself as Jesus, including 80% of his 2024 voters and 79% of Republicans.
- Separate findings showed 69% disapproved of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon prayer that asked for “overwhelming violence of action,” reflecting discomfort with religious language tied to war.
- On Trump’s April 7 Iran message that warned “a whole civilization will die tonight” if no deal was made, 76% disapproved, with majorities of Catholics, Protestants, and non‑Christians viewing the post negatively.
- Pope Leo XIV registered a +25 net favorable rating in the same poll, and 66% reacted positively to his call for Americans to press Congress to work for peace.
- The April 12 image showed Trump in white and red robes healing a sick man and was deleted the next day, and he later told reporters he thought it showed him as a doctor, while the White House highlighted his record with Christian voters after Wednesday’s results.