After Criticizing Pope, Trump Posts Image of Himself as a Jesus-Like Figure - The New York Times
By: Claire Moses (nytimes)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The image, posted on Truth Social, appeared to be A.I.-generated and depicts the president as a divine leader healing the sick.
President Trump has posted several apparently A.I.-generated images of himself over the last year, sometimes drawing significant backlash.Credit...Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times
By Claire Moses
April 13, 2026, 7:56 a.m. ET
Shortly after criticizing Pope Leo XIV in a lengthy social media post on Sunday, President Trump shared an apparently A.I.-generated image depicting him as a Jesus-like figure.
The image, which was posted on the president's account on his social media platform, Truth Social, shows Mr. Trump dressed in white and red robes. In the illustration, the president's hands emit shining lights, and his right hand is touching the forehead of a man lying on a bed, wearing a hospital gown. The image evokes religious art depicting Jesus healing the sick.
The illustration was posted without commentary, less than an hour after Mr. Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV in another post, calling him "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy." The pope, the first American-born pontiff to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, has spoken out against the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, condemning the "absurd and inhuman violence" unleashed by the fighting.
Responding to Mr. Trump's comments, the pope said Monday that he has "no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do."
In the image posted on Sunday, the man in the bed is surrounded by figures looking up at Mr. Trump, including a person in a medical uniform with a stethoscope around their neck, a praying woman and a man in a camouflage uniform. The background of the image includes the Statue of Liberty, a building resembling the Lincoln Memorial, fighter jets, eagles, fireworks and a billowing American flag.
Mr. Trump has posted a number of apparently A.I.-generated images of himself on social media over the last year, sometimes drawing significant backlash. In May 2025, after the death of Pope Francis, Mr. Trump posted an image of himself as pontiff, drawing criticism, including from Catholics.
In February 2025, Mr. Trump posted an image of himself wearing a crown on a magazine cover resembling Time, but called Trump, as he likened himself to a king.
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Trump posted this garbage at 3 o'clock in the morning.
No wonder he can't stay awake during daylight hours.
it's blasphmemy
But trmp is not religious and the only god he believes in is himself so this just a typical Sunday
Exactly. There is no reason for him to hesitate in doing something like this. Incredibly, in 10 years, MAGA still hasn’t figured that out.
... it's textbook narcissism
erect a cross on the white house lawn, I'll bring the gutter spikes and drive the first one ...
No one is giving Trump good information, and he actually believes something like this meme will be well received.
Full-size, so we may admire the detail:
it's disgusting
Sick guy looks like Epstein and the Blasphemer in Chief is trying to snuff him.
(Screengrab via X/TruthSocial)
President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image depictimg himself late Sunday as a Jesus -like character healing a sick man, but the image included one not-so-subtle change from the original posted months ago by a MAGA fan – swapping out a U.S. soldier for a horned creature with wings.
The president’s religious depiction of himself in the viral image alone was enough to draw furious criticism from even his most die-hard supporters, who accused him of “blasphemy” and urged him to remove it.
(Screengrab via Truth Social)
Elsewhere, however, others drew attention to what The Bulwark’s culture editor Sonny Bunch highlighted as “demons” in the background over Trump’s left shoulder:
The image itself was found to be a regurgitation of one posted back in February by MAGA influencer Nick Adams . Adams had initially framed the image as Trump healing a “sick” America and had been criticized at the time for the depiction.
The original image does feature figures standing over Trump’s shoulder, they appear to be U.S. soldiers, however, the image posted by Trump on Sunday had swapped one of those figures with what seems to be a three-horned creature with wings.
X user @Mend_alyn was one of the first to point out the change, posting to the two images side-by-side:
MAGA influencer Matt Wallace then also called on his 2.3 million followers to “spot the difference.”
It is unclear where the president sourced the image from, when it was picked up, or whether it was altered by anyone on his team.
However, the version he shared appears to have undergone an additional round of AI processing suggested by visible degradations in the image, including distorted details such as text on a character’s hat originally reading “Veteran” which now appears scrambled in the president’s post.
The post Trump Post of Himself as ‘Jesus’ Includes Strange Horned Creature Not in Original first appeared on Mediaite .
I noticed the "horned" creature at the center of the group of figures at the top but I was waiting to see if anyone could explain it.
it's proof that he's the Anti-Christ
The horned creature has four arms and what appears to be a crown or helmet of some sort... Personally, I like the jet with the birds head and the fact that lady liberty has a blindfold on.
You can always count on Donald to keep it classy. S/
Is that backwards sarcasm?
And still, the religious right is ok with him. They're worshipping an orange calf.
You have to like this comment from the Foxnews.com article:
I think there anti-psychotic medications for this condition.
No doubt there are other trump worshippers, maybe some on here, who agree with the sentiment expressed in that comment.
omg...then they can't call themselves Christians
He is not Christ reborn. He's the complete opposite
I believe it does. It warns against the Great Deceiver and the False Prophet
Trump just cleared it all up:
So, who would get the idea it was Trump as Jesus?
Ah, right. Got it.
I especially like the light coming out of his hands. I saw my doctor last week and she had that, too. Neat.
The dark side of the force strong in this one is.
Does Trump realize that becoming Messiah requires crucifixion? Bone spurs won't qualify for a deferment, either. Who's got the nails? And who has the hammer?
Trump would probably seek a Barabbas injunction because his followers 'love him so'.
No need for the Lance of Longinus, according to Ms. Daniels a Lance of Shortinus will do...
I wish I had a reason to be offended by this. Religion in general is equally as stupid as this picture. When you welcome in religion you are welcoming this level of trolling. Expecting people to believe all the idiotic trash stories about Jesus is just as ridiculous as accepting that Trump thought he looked like a doctor.
mocking his religious sycophants is the only admirable thing trump's done this century ...
I saw some random dudes being interviewed while pumping gas, about how they felt about the picture of Trump playing Dr. Christ. One was shocked that the guy he “voted for because he trusted him” could have done something this disgraceful. Another one claimed that Trump will have to face god on judgement day. How does our species delude itself so easily? The promise of Divine punishment will suffice for the trumptarded.
the entrance requirements for their admittance to thumper heaven aren't very stringent, if even enforced ...
I went back through some of the left wingers on here posts concerning this image, but damned if I couldn't find any of the outrage they poutrage today.
I wonder why? s/
Did Obama post them to his social media account?
No?
Then it's not the same, is it?
That's why.
The picture first appeared in 2010, on website "Right Wing News".
But hey! I would never dare say that any NT member posts misleading crap. I'd get a ticket....
maga can't take a step in their own minefields of hypocrisy ...
Didn't have to. His supporters probably still have them in their monuments and altars to him.
"Then it's not the same, is it?"
Leftists are more up in arms that there is a picture of Trump depicted as Jesus more than the fact that he reposted something from someone else.
So?
How is a candle jar with the left's messiah misleading. It is simply a correct depiction of how most on the left feel about him to this day.
Says a member of a group that complains about things Trump MIGHT do that someone on their side had already don.
Nothing like rationalization. Would you have remained silent if Trump was on the candles and they were not on his social media account?
That is a rhetorical question.
Sure, rationalize the dishonest false equivalence, and really badly, at that.
Double down on the stupid attempt at deflection. That'll make it more convincing.
There was no deflection. Portraying Obama as some sort of saint is not different than those on the left mocking a depiction of Trump as some religious figure, Jesus or otherwise.
Funny how those of you on the left have now decided to clutch your pearls over a Christian AI generated picture.
Please cite some examples of this. I have seen a lot of commentary on this story and I have not seen one person attack Trump for the mere existence of this picture. Every critic I have seen has complained about him posting it on his account. Every one.
Triple down on the stupid.
I will retract my claim of leftists being mad about the existence of the picture, however, I found it hilarious that leftists have found religion and furthered their pearl clutching over Trump reposting the picture of him depicted as someone the don't even believe in.
Fair. Appreciated.
Why do you assume people on the Left are not religious or don’t believe in Jesus Christ? The Pope is clearly liberal about a lot of things and he seems pretty religious. I myself am pretty liberal about a lot of things, and I not only attend church regularly, I am on my church’s council.
In fact, if there is anyone in this whole story who seems to be not religious and probably doesn’t believe in Jesus, it’s Trump. When does that guy go to church? When does he do or say anything that seems inspired by the ministry and teachings of Jesus?
Incredibly, Trump has managed to convince the religious Right in this country that he is one of them, but I sure don’t see any evidence of it. Dude lives his life every day for himself.
You can find that out by reading some of the posts by left wingers here.
"In fact, if there is anyone in this whole story who seems to be not religious and probably doesn’t believe in Jesus, it’s Trump. When does that guy go to church? When does he do or say anything that seems inspired by the ministry and teachings of Jesus?"
You don't have to go to church to be religious. I do not go to church, mainly because I normally work weekends, but I believe in God and live a good, moral and ethical life.
"Incredibly, Trump has managed to convince the religious Right in this country that he is one of them, but I sure don’t see any evidence of it. "
If he showed any evidence, the left would be screaming for his head for supposedly promoting religion and claim separation. There is absolutely nothing most on the left is supportive of Trump or his policies, simply because of his name and who he beat 10 years ago.
Well, of course. I distinctly remember the left tearing apart Biden for being a lifelong Catholic. And they absolutely despised Jimmy Carter. Hated Hillary Clinton when she quoted her pastor.
Except that didn't happen. Your conjecture is bullshit.
What the left has a problem with is the hypocrisy. I believe Jesus had a lot to say about hypocrisy, too. You continually defend it, and engage in it.
Hypocrisy is one of the primary tenets of Trumpism, practiced religiously by Trump devotees.
Me reading what other people post is not logically connecting to understanding what you believe.
I am open to hearing other evidence that would support the idea that he is a religious person and believes in Jesus. I only suggested the most obvious evidence that people might look for.
That’s not usually why people have something to say about the separation of church and state. It usually has more to do with pushing for prayer or Bible study in public schools, banning abortion on the grounds that it’s allegedly prohibited in the Bible, banning gay marriage or infringing on trans rights for the same reason. Stuff like that.
Because he is a proponent of abortion. I am not Catholic, but at least I have enough sense to know that Catholicism preaches against abortion. In addition, Hillary's pastor refused to give her sacrament because she, too, is pro abortion.
"Except that didn't happen. Your conjecture is bullshit."
Says a member of the group that has threatened Trump with impeachment for things he MIGHT do, in addition for the things that have triggered many leftists, called him a war criminal for things he THREATENED to do, but did not, then said he chickened out when he did not follow through on their hopes that he would follow through on his "civilization ender" threat.
Whose rhetoric is bullshit, now?
"What the left has a problem with is the hypocrisy. "
Ain't that the truth. We on the right have been pointing that out for better than a decade.
"You continually defend it, and engage in it."
Pot meet kettle
You remember that whole separation of church and state you mentioned? Well, Biden actually understands what that means. HE is a Catholic. He doesn't expect others to abide by the rules of Catholicism. It's a fairly easy concept.
Please tell us what group that is.
Still yours. Always yours. You treat your own conjecture as fact, when it is demonstrably false based on actual events, then choose to say hateful things about others on the basis of that false conjecture. Not especially indicative of living a
Pretty sure Jesus wouldn't have said hateful things about people based on what he chose to think they might do.
I do and my point stands. Not liking it does not mean it is wrong. Biden and Clinton were mocked because they tried to claim Catholic by pandering to Catholics but support abortion.
"Please tell us what group that is."
Not going to fall for your bait. Anything to get someone for a SG.
"Still yours. Always yours."
I have proven you otherwise. Get over it.
" then choose to say hateful things about others on the basis of that false conjecture. "
Show where I have said hateful things. Hurt feelings does not equate to hateful.
"Not especially indicative of living a good, moral and ethical life. "
You don't know me know do you know how I live. Appreciate you don't project your feelings onto me.
"Pretty sure Jesus wouldn't have said hateful things about people based on what he chose to think they might do."
So you admit he was not a liberal/progressive.
Catholicism preaches against abortion
And Catholics abort babies at rates no less than any other demographic. What they do frequently bears no resemblance to what they are preached to be doing.
When did Clinton try to claim being Catholic?
Hilarious, after you literally said
Pigeons and chessboards come to mind.
Can you show proof? I am not Catholic and have no idea but this seems,......well.....wrong.
Where dd I say she did? She supposedly is Methodist.
Weird you do not know much about the queen of liberals.
"Pigeons and chessboards come to mind."
Only thing that comes to mind is that made zero sense...at least to sane people.
BTW..whan are you going to show proof I said hateful things, or was saying that just pure bullshit?
I'm leaning the latter.
You know your words are right up there, right? Your 11.1.20
I can understand why you wouldn't want to understand it.
All hateful, some lies.
There are 2 Clintons that held national office. Bill tried to claim to be a Catholic and took communion, then found out he was not supposed to because he is not Catholic.
Hillary is Methodist.
Why do I know more about the left wing queen than the left wing?
"All hateful, some lies."
Sorry to hurt your feelings, but hurt feelings does not equate to being hateful. I understand those on the left equate words to violence, so possibly this is what you speak of.
Either way, there is nothing in my post that is hateful. Nothing in my post that is lies, otherwise you would have separated to try and prove me wrong.
Again, you failed.
Have a good Friday
Link?
Nobody thinks Hillary is a queen. Leftists are the ones objecting to giving POTUS the powers of monarchy. RWers are the ones laughing at them for it.
Leftists as a whole never said "death to America".
Bill Clinton never claimed to be Catholic.
Pandering to Catholics
Bill Clinton receives Holy Communion
" Nobody thinks Hillary is a queen."
Then you agree that nobody thinks Trump is trying to be king. No one has ever shown proof. Just triggering feelings and paid for "protests" by old white hippy liberals trying to bring back their heyday of the 60s.
" RWers are the ones laughing at them for it."
Because they deserve to be.
" Leftists as a whole never said "death to America"."
So you admit some have. Maybe a fairly small fraction have said the quiet art out loud, but they are probably speaking for a much larger audience.
4. Did Clinton “try to claim to be a Catholic” and then “find out he was not supposed to”?
The available reporting does not support the framing that Clinton attempted to claim Catholic identity; rather, it shows he attended the Mass and accepted Communion when it was offered after White House advance staff had inquired, not that he publicly presented himself as Catholic or sought conversion at the moment [2] [3] [1] . Some commentators later asserted Clinton “should have known” that non‑Catholics ordinarily do not receive the Eucharist, and some sources reported that Clinton had been aware of the usual rule, but contemporaneous coverage centers more on a breakdown of communication and a mistaken invitation by the priest than on a documented clerical misrepresentation by the President himself [5] [6] .
Receiving communion is not a claim to be Catholic.
That's a non sequitur. Trump has and continues to act as if the executive branch is the sole branch of government with power, refusing to acknowledge the limitations on it intended in the Constitution.
Paid protests - another lie.
More hate.
Hateful speculation.
Hate and lies. All you have.
This is no longer worth replying to.
I have realized that anytime a left winger has been proven wrong, they throw out insults and name calling, trying to get the upper hand of the debate.
Again....hurt feelings does not equate to hate.
This goes along the same idea that full grown ass adults calling others bullies. This is playground tactics and shows the mental capacity of those that do it.
"Hate and lies. All you have."
But yet you have never proved it.
That's rich.
John, you don't want to start with me.
It will not turn out well for you....again
He knew he was not supposed to take communion. He was PANDERING to Catholics. Nothing more.
But true...
He didn't claim to be Catholic. You lied.
It is hardly likely you'd recognize evidence unfavorable to your own behavior.
Pigeons and chess boards.
Projection on your part, but "status" does help.
"Pigeons and chess boards."
Canaries and Snakes and Ladders.
Sorry you're not familiar with the analogy.
I'm not sorry.
I just don't care
Can you show proof? I am not Catholic and have no idea but this seems,......well.....wrong.
Why do you invariably always ask for proof when you could just take a minute and google it yourself?
Ironically, I sent my kids to a Catholic school because I wanted their beliefs to be based on their educational experience, not the ideology of their atheist dad. Shortly after the teen friend terminated her pregnancy my own teenage daughter got pregnant. Her mother and I told her it was her decision and we support her either way, but she wouldn’t even consider terminating the pregnancy. Both my daughters are not religious as adults.
Wel, I would be OK with your graphs if they were what you claimed, but it isn't.
You claimed that Catholics abort at the same rate as every other demographic. Your post shows whether Catholics, church going or not, believe that abortion should be legal or not.
At least you tried.
Like I said, you’re asking for something that amounts to a HIPPA violation and could never be demonstrated. The best you can get is their admissions to how they stand on the issue. You know this so just stop pretending you’re succeeding in making some point here.
Then don't make claims you can't provide proof for....even when you believe you couldn't when you made the post.
Sure thing, genius. Next time I’ll just kidnap a representative sample of Catholics and torture an admission from them to satisfy your intellectually lazy high bar.
I do love a good inquisition!
Then it is recommended you do not make claims you already know cannot be backed up.