Trump Shares AI Image of Himself Embraced by Jesus Amid Escalating Feud with Pope Leo XIV
President Donald Trump has reignited controversy by sharing an AI-generated image depicting himself being embraced by Jesus Christ, further intensifying his public feud with Pope Leo XIV. The post, made on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social on April 15, 2026, shows the president with an angelic light and the U.S. Flag circling him and the AI-generated figure of Jesus. Trump accompanied the image with the caption: “The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!! President DJT,” and added a secondary caption reading: “I was never a very religious man .. But doesn’t it seem, with all these satanic, demonic, child sacrificing monsters being exposed … That God might be playing his Trump card!”
This latest post follows a similar AI-generated image Trump shared earlier in the week, which depicted him in red and white robes holding a light in one hand and blessing a sick man with the other. That image was later deleted after drawing criticism, including from within his own political base, who interpreted it as portraying him as Jesus. Trump denied the interpretation at the time, telling reporters on April 13, “I thought it was me as a doctor. And it had to do with Red Cross… And only the fake news could arrive up with that one … I make people a lot better.”
The renewed sharing of the image coincides with Trump’s ongoing criticism of Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, who has publicly condemned the war in Iran and criticized Trump’s rhetoric, including his threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight.” Trump has repeatedly called the pope “WEAK on Crime” and claimed credit for his selection to the papacy in an April 12 post on Truth Social.
Vice President JD Vance has also joined the criticism, telling attendees at a young conservatives conference in Athens, Georgia, that the pope should “be careful when he talks about matters of theology.” Trump further fueled the conflict by sharing a post from an X user that highlighted past social media activity by Cardinal Robert Prevost — before his election as Pope Leo XIV — in which he criticized Trump and Vance, called for open borders, promoted COVID-19 vaccines, endorsed stricter gun control, and commented on the George Floyd protests. Trump responded to the shared post with “Not good!!!”
The Pope has not remained silent. In a forceful speech in Algiers on Monday, Pope Leo XIV denounced “neocolonial” world powers violating international law, though he did not explicitly name the United States. He earlier stated he had “no fear” of the Trump administration and would continue to speak out on global issues.
The AI-generated images have drawn widespread criticism, even from religious conservatives who typically support Trump. Critics argue the depictions blur theological boundaries and risk alienating faith-based supporters crucial to his political base. Despite the backlash, Trump has shown no signs of retreating from the confrontation, using the posts to frame himself as a divinely favored figure in a moral struggle against what he describes as corrupt and anti-religious forces.
As of April 17, 2026, the feud between the Trump administration and the Vatican remains unresolved, with both sides continuing to exchange sharp rhetoric through public statements and social media.