‘Trump as Jesus’ photo deleted from president’s account after backlash

WorldPolitics
14 Apr 2026 • 12:26 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

‘Trump as Jesus’ photo deleted from president’s account after backlash

  • A controversial image depicting US President Donald Trump as Jesus Christ has been deleted from his Truth Social account after backlash.
  • Trump posted the image after launching a scathing verbal attack on Pope Leo XIV Sunday, labeling him “weak” on crime and “terrible” on foreign policy. The photo depicted the president dressed in a white robe with a glowing hand on the forehead of a man in a hospital bed.
  • The photo and attacks on the pope quickly drew criticism from a range of people, who labeled them “blasphemy.”
  • Pope Leo responded to Trump’s rant Monday, saying he would always speak out in favor of peace.
  • “I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do,” the pope told reporters. “I don’t want to get into a debate with Trump.”

IN FULL