'It's supposed to be me as a doctor': Trump defends controversial 'Jesus' post

On Monday, President Donald Trump addressed growing criticism over a now-deleted social media post where he appeared to be depicted as Jesus Christ, as per several reports. He defended an AI-generated image that some called sacrilegious, saying he meant to show himself as a doctor helping people. The controversy began late Sunday when the President posted an image on Truth Social showing himself in robes, with his hand glowing as he leaned over a man in a bed. The post came just hours after Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV, calling him "weak on crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy." However, the post, which faced strong criticism from both political opponents and evangelical supporters, was reportedly deleted later. 

Explaining the image, asserting that he did post it, Trump rejected claims of blasphemy and said the media had misrepresented the purpose of his post. "It wasn't a depiction (of Jesus). I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor," Trump stated, according to The News International. "And had to do with Red Cross as a Red Cross worker there, which we support, and only the fake news could come up with that one...it's supposed to be me as a doctor making people better."

Even after the President explained, the image, which supporter Nick Adams first shared, included fighter jets, a large American flag, and an eagle. Critics said these symbols fit more with 'civil religion' than a typical medical tribute. Trump’s response came after strong criticism from some conservative allies. Former Trump ally, Marjorie Taylor Greene, posted on X to condemn the image, calling it "more than blasphemy." "It’s more than blasphemy. It’s an Antichrist spirit," she wrote. 

Greene also connected the post to the President’s ongoing dispute with the Vatican. She said the image seemed to suggest Trump was "replacing Jesus" on the same day the Pope called for peace in the Middle East. "This comes after last week’s post of his evil tirade on Easter and then threatening to kill an entire civilization," she wrote. Several well-known faith leaders also spoke out against the President's post. Evangelical commentator, Megan Basham, questioned if the President was "under the influence of some substance" when he made the post. Fox News' Riley Gaines said, "God shall not be mocked," and suggested the administration could use "a little humility."

The timing of the post has made tensions worse between the White House and the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has openly opposed the Trump administration’s position on the Iran conflict, saying the Vatican's calls for a ceasefire are "rooted in the Gospel." As per a Daily Express report, the incident has intensified concerns among some psychological experts and political analysts regarding the President's "state of mind" as the conflict with Iran enters a critical phase. The White House had not released any official statement besides the President's own comments.