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By Dan Gooding and Gabe Whisnant
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President Donald Trump posted an AI‑generated image depicting himself as a Jesus‑like figure on Sunday, drawing widespread criticism—including from some religious conservatives who have typically supported him—before later removing the post on Monday.
Speaking to reporters outside of the Oval Office, Trump said Monday he posted the image but insisted it was meant to depict him as a doctor, dismissing suggestions it portrayed him as Jesus Christ as a fabrication by “fake news.”
The president said, in part, "It wasn't a depiction. I did post it and I thought it was me as a doctor. And had to do with Red Cross as a Red Cross worker, which we support, and only the fake news could come up with that one."
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The controversy around the post came amid backlash against the president for his criticism of the pope, in a separate post on Sunday night.
Did Trump Post the Photo?
When asked about the now-deleted post, Trump said he did post the picture. He also told reporters, "I just heard about it", when referring to the idea that the photo showed him as Jesus, rather than a Red Cross doctor.
The image, which was shared without a written comment by the president, showed Trump donning a traditional white robe and red shawl and healing a man while surrounded by four people, including a nurse and a soldier. In the background, an eagle was flying in front of the U.S. flag, soldiers appeared to be ascending toward a Heaven-like light in the middle, and another eagle was flying next to military jets.
Trump's denial that he was aware of the Christ-like imagery comes shortly after he made similar efforts to distance himself from other controversial posts to his Truth Social page, including another controversial deleted post in which former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were depicted as apes.
At the time of that post, it was suggested that a White House aide was responsible for sharing the video, rather than Trump himself.
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What Did Donald Trump Say About Pope Leo?
President Trump posted multiple times Sunday night, including sharing one update which was seen as targeting Pope Leo XIV, calling the first American pope "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy."
Trump's post followed Leo's denunciation over the weekend of the "delusion of omnipotence" fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, in which the pope demanded political leaders stop fighting and negotiate peace. While Leo did not name Trump or the United States directly, his message was widely interpreted as aimed at the administration.
In the post, Trump said, in part, "Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy. He talks about "fear" of the Trump Administration, but doesn't mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart. I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA."
The president went on to criticize the pope's stance on U.S. policy, including his decision to attack Venezuela in January, and said that Pope Leo would not be in the Vatican if he were not in the White House.
In comments to The Associated Press aboard the papal plane, the pope said Monday: “To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is."
"And I’m sorry to hear that but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today.”
Update 4/13/26, 1:33 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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