By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

President Donald Trump sparked intense backlash after sharing an AI-generated image on Truth Social depicting himself as a Jesus-like saviour.

The image, which showed him in a white robe performing a miraculous healing, was deleted following widespread condemnation from religious and political figures.

The controversy deepened as Trump simultaneously attacked Pope Leo XIV on social media. He criticized the pontiff as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” due to the Pope’s opposition to the war in Iran, drawing sharp rebukes from international leaders like Giorgia Meloni.

U.S. Catholic leaders expressed deep disappointment, stating that disparaging the Holy Father was disheartening to the faithful. They emphasized that the Pope’s global mission for peace should remain above political hostility, highlighting a growing rift between the administration and religious institutions.

Even Trump’s conservative base voiced outrage, with many labeling the messianic imagery as “gross blasphemy.” Prominent figures and commentators argued that faith should never be used as a political prop, calling for humility and urging the President to rely on his record instead.

Trump later attempted to downplay the post, claiming he viewed the image as depicting him as a “doctor” or “Red Cross worker.” He accused the media of misinterpreting his intent and doubled down on his criticism of the Pope, refusing to apologize for his remarks.

Political opponents, including Senator Bernie Sanders, condemned the behavior as “egomaniacal.” Sanders highlighted the irony of the President attacking a peace-seeking religious leader while portraying himself as a deity, calling the incident an offensive distraction from serious national crises.

The event follows a pattern of Trump using divine narratives to bolster his image, but this instance tested the limits of his support. By alienating both conservative Christians and global allies, the move sparked rare unified pushback during a period of significant international tension.