Donald Trump has defended his now-deleted post depicting himself as Jesus Christ, claiming he believed the AI-generated image showed him as a doctor.
Trump deleted the post on Monday morning after it drew accusations of blasphemy from his own right-wing supporters. The President’s stunning defense came as he stood outside the Oval Office holding two bags of fresh McDonald’s fast food.
'It wasn't a depiction. I did post it and I thought it was me as a doctor. And had to do with red cross as a red cross worker, which we support and only the fake news could come up with that one,' Trump told reporters. 'It's supposed to be me as a doctor making people better and I do make people better.'
The AI-generated image, posted to his Truth Social account, showed Trump draped in white with a red shawl, hands glowing with divine light, as he healed a sick patient in a hospital bed while a soldier, a nurse and others looked on in adoration.
It was posted Sunday evening and by Monday morning had sparked a furious backlash from Trump's own base.
Ex-Trump ally and Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said the image was 'more than blasphemy' and that 'it's an Antichrist spirit.'
Conservative commentator Michael Knowles wrote: 'I assume someone has already told him, but it behooves the President both spiritually and politically to delete the picture, no matter the intent.'
Right-wing influencer Riley Gaines said: 'Why? Seriously, I cannot understand why he'd post this. Is he looking for a response? Does he actually think this? Either way, two things are true. 1) a little humility would serve him well 2) God shall not be mocked.'
Trump deleted a viral post comparing himself to Jesus Christ after it drew accusations of blasphemy from some of his right-wing supporters
Trump gave his shocking defense of the post while holding two bags of McDonalds
'It's supposed to be me as a doctor making people better and I do make people better,' Trump said
Pope Leo has traded barbs with the President over Trump's war with Iran
Trump, a Christian, has previously questioned his own salvation, saying: 'I think I'm not maybe heaven-bound' and 'I'm not sure I'm going to be able to make heaven.'
Trump had attacked Pope Leo XIV, 70, hours earlier, posting: 'If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican.'
During his Oval Office press conference on Monday, the President refused to apologize to the Pope.
The President's posts sit awkwardly against the devout Catholic and Christian beliefs of his inner circle, not least Vice President JD Vance.
Bishop Robert Barron, who sits on the Trump administration's own Religious Liberty Commission, said Trump's attacks on the Pope were 'entirely inappropriate and disrespectful' and called on the President to apologize.
'I think the President owes the Pope an apology,' Barron wrote on X, adding that senior Catholics in the administration, including Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, should meet Vatican officials directly rather than trade barbs on social media.
Barron, appointed to the commission by Trump in May alongside Cardinal Timothy Dolan, said he remained 'very grateful' for the administration's outreach to people of faith, but the rebuke from within Trump's own religious apparatus was unambiguous.
The self-published image comparing himself to Christ proved a bridge too far even for supporters who had cheered his attacks on the Pope.
'Trumps first post was fine. The Pope has a long documented political record. The follow-up posts? Would not be tolerated for any other religion,' conservative pundit Mike Cernovich wrote.
OutKick host Jon Root wrote: 'This is blasphemous.'
'Trump portraying himself as Jesus Christ, descending from the clouds, healing the sick, with people praying to him, is reprehensible. If only there was a qualified leader of the White House Faith Office, and not a heretic, so this wouldn't happen or at least would be called out,' he continued.
VP JD Vance is a strong Catholic, and he has written book on his faith that is set to be published later this year
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt is also a devout Christian, often spotted wearing a cross at press briefings and posting about church or scripture on social media
The White House did not immediately respond for comment.
The feud with the Pope began after Leo criticized the US offensive against Iran, without naming Trump or Washington directly.
Trump responded with a volley of broadsides against the head of the Catholic Church.
'Pope Leo is weak on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,' Trump posted on social media on Sunday, adding, 'I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.'
The Pope responded that he had 'no fear' of the Trump administration and will continue to speak out against the war with Iran.
'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,' he told reporters during a flight to Algeria.
'I don't want to get into a debate with [Trump],' he added.
'Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say: there's a better way to do this,' Leo said.