Faced with growing backlash from across the political and religious spectrum, President Donald Trump appears to have deleted a controversial AI-generated image from his Truth Social account that critics say likened him to Jesus Christ.
The image in question featured Trump in a white robe, his hand glowing as he touched the forehead of a man in a hospital bed—a visual style famously associated with historical religious paintings of Jesus healing the infirm. Despite the clear messianic undertones that sparked outrage, Trump defended the post to reporters, claiming he viewed the depiction differently.
“Me as a Doctor”
When asked about the removal of the post, Trump suggested the religious interpretation was not his intent.
“I thought it was me as a doctor,” Trump stated, further explaining that he believed the image showed him standing next to a Red Cross worker.
However, the surrounding details of the image leaned heavily into a mix of divine and nationalistic symbolism. The background included:
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The Statue of Liberty and a large U.S. flag.
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Fighter jets and an eagle soaring overhead.
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A nurse, a soldier, and a woman in a clear posture of prayer.
Tensions with the Vatican
The controversy follows a period of heightened friction between the White House and the Holy See. Just hours before the “healing” image was shared, Trump had posted a lengthy message criticizing Pope Leo XIV. The Pope has been an outspoken critic of U.S. and Israeli military operations in Iran, and the timing of Trump’s religious-themed post was seen by many as a provocative response to the Vatican’s stance.
While Trump remains a polarizing figure, the “Jesus-like” imagery proved a bridge too far for some of his most ardent supporters, leading to the eventual quiet removal of the post from his platform.
