'Deranged and egomaniacal': Bernie Sanders tears into Trump over his AI-generated image

President Donald Trump's AI-generated image, seemingly depicting him as a messianic figure, has drawn sharp criticism from conservatives and Democrats alike, with Senator Bernie Sanders slamming him for simultaneously attacking Pope Leo XIV, who spoke out against war. On Monday, the Democratic senator called Trump's behaviour "deranged and egomaniacal," calling yet again upon Congress and the Republican leaders to step in and take action against the President. While Trump removed the picture, the criticism has continued to flow as he tried to defend himself in the media. 

The image, posted on Trump's Truth Social account on Sunday and deleted on Monday, showed him in a white robe placing a hand on a man's head, with the American flag in the background. The post came less than an hour after a separate post criticized Pope Leo, calling him "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy." The first American Pope has repeatedly condemned the war in Iran, expressing that it has led to "absurd and inhuman violence." 

Reacting to the feud and Trump's behaviour, the Vermont Senator wrote in a post on X, "Trump is now attacking the Pope for speaking out against war while posting images of himself as a messianic figure. This is not only offensive. It is deranged, egomaniacal behavior." "When will Republicans in Congress stop blindly following this dangerous and unhinged man?" he added. Sanders is among the dozens of Democrats and political leaders who have called for the removal of Trump from office and an immediate halt to the war in Iran. 

Following the backlash, the AI-generated picture was taken down, but speaking to reporters, Trump appeared to defend it. "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 there, which we support," Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday, denying claims that he wanted to look like Jesus. "It's supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better. And I do make people better," he added, claiming that only "fake news" could have come up with the Jesus theory. 

Nevertheless, criticism of the image continued on social media, with former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene calling out the President. "This comes after last week's post of his evil tirade on Easter and then threatening to kill an entire civilization. I completely denounce this, and I'm praying against it!!!" Greene wrote. Even conservative leaders pushed back, calling for immediate action. "This should be deleted immediately," wrote Sean Feucht, a Christian activist on X.  "There's no context where this is acceptable," he added. Brilyn Hollyhand, the former co-chair of the Republican National Committee Youth Advisory Council, shared a sharper critique, writing: "This is gross blasphemy. Faith is not a prop. You don't need to portray yourself as a savior ​when your record should speak for itself," in a post on X. 

Senior Catholic leaders further condemned Trump's remarks on the Pope. "I am disheartened that the President chose to write such disparaging words about the Holy Father. Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician," Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote in a statement.