President Donald Trump dismissed allegations on Monday that he intended to portray himself as a messianic figure, claiming a deleted AI-generated image actually depicted him as a medical professional. The clarification comes amid an escalating diplomatic rift with the Vatican, as Trump maintains a defiant stance against Pope Leo XIV.
During an Oval Office press encounter while accepting a McDonald’s delivery, the 79-year-old president addressed the controversy surrounding a digital image that appeared to show him as “Christ the Healer.” Trump insisted the “fake news” media misinterpreted the post, which was removed shortly after publication.
“I thought it was me as a doctor,” Trump told reporters. “It had to do with the Red Cross… making people better. And I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”
The delivery was made by Sharon Simmons, a “DoorDash Grandma” whom the president briefly questioned regarding transgender athletes in sports. Simmons declined to offer an opinion, stating her focus remained on the administration’s “no tax on tips” proposal.
The president further confirmed he has no plans to apologize to Pope Leo XIV following a series of social media attacks. Trump recently labeled the 70-year-old American pontiff “WEAK on Crime” and criticized his stance on U.S. foreign policy toward Iran and Venezuela.
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Trump’s grievances center on the Pope’s vocal opposition to the administration’s military posture in South America and its withdrawal from diplomatic norms regarding Tehran.
“Pope Leo said things that were wrong,” Trump asserted. “He’s weak on crime. I’m just responding… there’s nothing to apologize for.”
In his social media tirade, Trump also attempted to drive a wedge within the religious community, claiming he preferred the Pope’s brother, Louis, whom he described as “all MAGA.”
The friction between the White House and the Holy See has drawn global attention. Speaking to the press on a flight to Algeria, Pope Leo XIV remained resolute.
“I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel,” the Pope stated, emphasizing his role as a “peacemaker” rather than a political strategist.
The dispute has created unlikely allies. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn Trump’s actions, describing the AI imagery as a “desecration of Jesus” and expressing solidarity with the Vatican.
As the administration continues to navigate the fallout, the intersection of AI-generated content and high-stakes diplomacy remains a volatile flashpoint for the Trump presidency.
