Trump deletes AI Jesus image after facing sharp criticism from conservative commentators, religious voices, and even users on his own Truth Social platform. The controversy centred on an AI-generated image that portrayed Trump in a Jesus-like form. The post was later removed after a wave of backlash, with critics calling it offensive, arrogant, and disrespectful.
Several right-leaning media figures publicly condemned the post. Riley Gaines said she could not understand why Trump would share it and argued that humility was needed. Daily Wire writer Megan Basham called the image “outrageous blasphemy” and demanded that Trump remove it and ask for forgiveness.
Isabel Brown also criticised the image, calling it “disgusting and unacceptable.” BlazeTV host Steve Deace responded with a one-word rejection: “No.” When reporters later asked Trump about the image, he denied it was meant to show him as Jesus Christ. Instead, he said it was supposed to depict him as a doctor making people better.
The image did not begin with Trump. It first appeared in early February on X, posted by conservative commentator Nick Adams, who has a history of sharing AI-generated, biblically themed Trump content. Trump’s version reportedly altered the original image.
In the edited version, the soldier silhouette seen in the background of the earlier post was replaced with a horned, demonic figure behind Trump. The backlash was not limited to high-profile commentators. Even users on Truth Social, where dissent against Trump is rare, criticised the post.
Vice President JD Vance later described the image as a joke. In a Fox News interview, he said Trump removed it because many people did not understand the humour.
Feud with Pope Leo deepens the fallout
The controversy came during an ongoing public clash between Trump and Pope Leo, the first US-born pope in Catholic history. Pope Leo had suggested that a “delusion of omnipotence” was influencing U.S. foreign policy, particularly over the war with Iran. Trump responded by calling the pope “weak” and accusing him of catering to the radical left.
Pope Leo said he was not afraid of the Trump administration and would continue to speak out against war. U.S. bishops also backed the pope, describing him as a religious leader who speaks from the truth of the gospel. Criticism of Trump’s post spread further, with Italian politicians and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also condemning the image. The timing added to the anger, as the post appeared just after Easter observances for Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
