- Reports indicate that President Trump’s decision to post an AI meme depicting himself as Jesus Christ was influenced by Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
- Axios reported that Pulte brought the image to the president's attention, though this account is disputed by another source close to the president.
- The president's post, which followed criticism of Pope Leo XIV, sparked controversy and arguments among his administration's Catholic members and risked alienating Christian supporters.
- The president later removed the initial image, stating it was misunderstood, and replaced it with another AI depiction of the Messiah embracing him.
- Pulte has a history of controversial actions, including allegedly instigating a failed criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve and engaging in public feuds, such as a confrontation with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
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