Overview
- Trump reposted an AI image on Wednesday that shows Jesus embracing him, adding that critics “might not like this,” after the original caption on X spoke of “satanic, demonic, child sacrificing monsters.”
- The new post follows Sunday’s now-deleted image that portrayed him in Jesus-like healer garb, which he later said he thought showed him as a doctor.
- Religious leaders and some conservatives called the earlier image blasphemous, while Vice President JD Vance called it a joke and House Speaker Mike Johnson said he urged Trump to pull it down.
- As the imagery drew fire, Trump kept attacking Pope Leo XIV over Iran, telling followers Tuesday night to “please tell Pope Leo” about protester killings, while the pope said he had no fear of the administration and would keep speaking out.
- The images and captions echo QAnon-style themes, raising political risks as Christian voters watch the dispute and foreign allies, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, object to Trump’s broadsides against the pope.