The image, posted on Sunday night shortly after Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV, showed the president in flowing white robes with his hand resting on the forehead of a sick man in what appeared to be a hospital bed. Radiant light emanated from the scene, while background elements included bald eagles, the U.S. flag, the Statue of Liberty, fighter jets, and other patriotic or militaristic symbols.
Article quickly drew accusations of blasphemy and inappropriateness, with critics including evangelical voices and former ally Marjorie Taylor Greene describing it as crossing a line.
Some called it “gross blasphemy,” “Antichrist spirit,” or an unacceptable mixing of religious imagery with political messaging.
Article had been deleted from Trump’s Truth Social account, with links now showing the content as unavailable.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, President Trump downplayed the controversy and rejected any religious interpretation.
He insisted the image was not meant to depict him as Jesus but rather as “me as a doctor”supporting humanitarian efforts like the Red Cross.
“Well, it wasn’t a picture… I thought it was me as a doctor, and it 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,” Trump said.
He added: “It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better, and I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”
The explanation has been met with skepticism by many observers, who noted that the visual style closely resembled traditional Christian depictions of Jesus healing the sick, rather than a conventional Red Cross or medical scene.
The incident comes amid escalating tensions between Trump and Pope Leo XIV. On Sunday, Trump posted a sharp attack on the pontiff, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy” while accusing him of catering to the “Radical Left” and criticizing his stance on the U.S.-Israel actions related to Iran.
Pope Leo has pushed back, emphasizing calls for peace rooted in the Gospel and stating he has “no fear” of the Trump administration.
This episode marks a rare moment of public pushback against Trump from parts of his evangelical and conservative Christian base, who have largely remained loyal through previous controversies.
The White House has not issued further official comment beyond Trump’s remarks to reporters.
