Trump Posts AI Pope Image, Sparks Controversy

Trump Posts AI Pope Image, Sparks Controversy

U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm by posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope on Truth Social. The post, shared on May 2, 2025, comes just 11 days after Pope Francis’s death on April 21, 2025.

The image, also shared by the White House’s official X account, shows Trump in papal robes, raising his hand in a gesture mimicking the pontiff.

This move has drawn both outrage and amusement online, with critics calling it disrespectful to Catholics mourning the late Pope. Supporters, however, see it as Trump’s signature bold humor. The timing, so close to the Vatican’s conclave to select a new Pope starting May 7, has fueled the debate.

Pope Francis’s Death

Pope Francis, the first South American pontiff, died at 88 on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at his Vatican residence.

According to Vatican doctor Andrea Arcangeli, the cause was a stroke and heart failure. Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, led the Catholic Church since 2013. Known for his progressive views, he supported inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community and criticized policies like Trump’s border wall, once saying they were “not Christian.”

Trump attended Francis’s funeral on April 26, alongside leaders like France’s Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. His behavior there, including wearing a non-traditional blue suit and chewing gum, already drew criticism.

Why Trump Posted the Image

Trump’s decision to share the AI image follows a pattern of provocative social media posts. Earlier, on April 29, 2025, he told reporters outside the White House, “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.” He added he had no preference for Francis’s successor but praised New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan as “very good.”

The image seems to extend this jest, aligning with Trump’s history of using humor to grab attention. Some analysts suggest it was meant to energize his base, who enjoy his irreverence. Others argue it reflects his tendency to overshadow serious moments, like the Catholic Church’s mourning period, with personal spectacle. The White House reposting the image amplified its reach, raising questions about official endorsement.

Public and Political Reactions

The post has split opinions. On social media, critics slammed Trump, with one user calling it “disrespectful to Catholics” and another labeling him a “psychopath” for mocking a sacred process. Melanie D’Arrigo, a former Democratic candidate, posted, “The guy who broke all 10 commandments is cosplaying as the next Pope.”

Conversely, supporters like conservative commentator Laura Loomer praised Trump’s audacity, with some joking, “Make Vatican Great Again.” By noon UK time on May 3, the Instagram post had over 58,000 likes.

Even Republican Senator Lindsey Graham chimed in, humorously suggesting Trump as a “dark horse” candidate for Pope. The backlash highlights tensions between Trump’s brash style and the reverence expected during a time of global Catholic mourning.

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