Trump post of image of himself as Christ-like figure draws widespread criticism

'Not even Hitler or Mussolini attacked the pope so directly and publicly,' says prominent Italian theologian

An AI image US President Donald Trump posted of himself as a Christ-like figure came under widespread criticism, with one commentator saying, “God shall not be mocked” while a former Italian premier called it “blasphemous.” The image, posted Sunday on his Truth Social platform, is not the first time Trump has used AI for online trolling, but this instance seems to have struck more of a nerve, even among some onetime followers or admirers of Trump. It came around the time Trump also called Pope Leo XIV “weak” and said, “if I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican,” also stirring ire among many religiously minded people, who normally make up part of Trump’s base. Both his remarks about the pope and the AI-generated image triggered a swift backlash from across the political and religious spectrum, including members of his MAGA supporters and senior Catholic figures. “Not even Hitler or Mussolini attacked the pope so directly and publicly," said Massimo Faggioli, a prominent Italian theologian, referring to two of the 20th century’s most reviled dictators. American conservative commentator Riley Gaines wrote on X: “Seriously, I cannot understand why he’d post this. Is he looking for a response? Does he actually think this?” She added that “a little humility would serve him well” and that “God shall not be mocked.” Catholics and Trump Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi called the image “crazy” and said that, as a Catholic, he considered it “blasphemous.” The Knights Templar International, a UK-based Christian group, released a statement demanding that the offensive image be removed immediately. Mentioning their support for Trump in both the 2016 and 2024 presidential races, the group nevertheless added that they were deeply offended, strongly condemned the post, and called for a public apology to Christians disturbed by the depiction. Trump later removed the image, which is unusual for him, and claimed it had actually been meant to depict him as a "doctor healing people," though the image included telltale Christian symbols and marks of divinity. Few accepted his explanation, and a number of public figures also condemned his use of AI. On Monday’s The Daily Show, host Jon Stewart mocked Trump’s defense, saying his lies no longer even seemed imaginative. He joked that Trump’s old falsehoods at least had energy, whereas now he has gone from grand conspiracies to claiming: “Eh, no, I wasn’t Jesus. I’m a doctor!” Musician Jack White also criticized Trump on Instagram, asking how any self-described Christian could continue supporting him after what he called an act of blasphemy. He questioned how Catholics could back Trump after repeated attacks on Pope Leo XIV and accused millions of having been deceived by him. He then rebuked Trump’s evangelical supporters for remaining loyal despite what he described as Trump’s felonies, rape accusations, the bombing of schoolchildren, aggressive immigration enforcement tactics against US citizens, and threats to invade Greenland, Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran.