US President Donald Trump appears to have removed a controversial social media post portraying himself in a Jesus-like role after it triggered criticism from across the political and religious spectrum.
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The image, shared on Trump’s platform Truth Social, was generated using artificial intelligence and showed the president wearing a white robe while placing a glowing hand on the forehead of a sick man lying in a hospital bed. Observers said the scene resembled traditional Christian artwork depicting Jesus Christ performing healing miracles.
The post quickly drew backlash, including from several figures who are generally supportive of the president.
Criticism from religious conservatives
Some Christian activists and commentators criticised the image as inappropriate.
Sean Feucht, a prominent evangelical activist involved in organising faith-based events tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, called for the image to be removed.
“This should be deleted immediately,” Feucht wrote on social media, adding that there was “no context where this is acceptable.”
Riley Gaines also criticised the post, writing that “God shall not be mocked.”
Journalists from faith-focused outlets voiced similar concerns. David Brody wrote that while supporters might back Trump politically, the image “crosses the line”.
Trump says image showed him as a doctor
Speaking to reporters at the White House later in the day, Trump acknowledged posting the image but said he did not view it as religious imagery.
“It’s supposed to be as a doctor making people better,” he said. “And I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”
Trump added that he believed the image showed him as a doctor standing beside a Red Cross worker rather than portraying him as a religious figure.
The now-deleted image featured several patriotic elements in the background, including the Statue of Liberty, a large US flag, fighter jets and a bald eagle. It also showed figures including a nurse, a soldier and a woman praying.
Dispute with the pope
The image appeared shortly after Trump posted a separate message criticising Pope Leo XIV, who has spoken out against the ongoing US and Israeli military campaign in Iran.
The pope, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, has repeatedly condemned the conflict, describing it as “absurd and inhuman violence”.
Speaking earlier this week, he said he had “no fear” of the Trump administration and would continue speaking out about the message of the Gospel.
Trump responded to reporters by criticising the pope’s comments, saying the pontiff was “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy”. He added that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remained a priority.
Previous social media controversies
The episode is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Trump’s posts on Truth Social.
Earlier this year, a racist video depicting former US president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes was briefly shared on the platform before being removed.
At the time, the White House initially defended the clip as an “internet meme video”. After criticism from lawmakers, including several Republican senators, the post was taken down and officials said it had been shared by a staff member in error.
The latest image was removed several hours after it appeared online, following the growing backlash.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 14 April 2026
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