Leading evangelical figure says Trump did not intend Jesus AI photo

PoliticsOpinion
16 Apr 2026 • 7:49 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Leading evangelical figure says Trump did not intend Jesus AI photo

  • Rev. Franklin Graham, a leading evangelical figure, defended Donald Trump against accusations that an AI-generated image depicted him as a Christ-like figure.
  • The image, shared by Trump, showed him in a white robe with a glowing hand on a man in a hospital bed, which Trump later clarified was meant to portray him as a doctor.
  • Graham stated he did not believe Trump “would knowingly depict himself as Jesus Christ” and condemned the backlash as “ill-intended speculation” from his enemies.
  • This perspective contrasts with other faith leaders, including conservative evangelicals, who criticized the image as blasphemous and a political manipulation of holy symbols.
  • Graham, a staunch ally, emphasized that Trump removed the post after understanding the concerns and praised him as “the most pro-Christian, pro-life president” in his lifetime.

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