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U.S. President Donald Trump removed an artificial intelligence-generated image from his Truth Social platform Monday that showed him dressed in flowing red and white robes in an apparent depiction of Jesus Christ, after the post drew sharp criticism from some of his most loyal religious supporters.
The image, posted late Sunday, portrayed Trump touching the forehead of what appeared to be an ailing man, with light emanating from his hand and head. An American flag waved in the background as surrounding figures looked up at him in reverence, a composition closely echoing traditional religious iconography of Jesus performing healing miracles.
When pressed by journalists Monday, Trump denied any intention to portray himself as a religious figure. "I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do Red Cross," he said, adding, "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 post drew an unusual wave of criticism from prominent conservative Christians who count themselves among Trump's most committed supporters. Megan Basham, a conservative journalist and commentator, wrote on X that she could not fathom any justification for what she called "OUTRAGEOUS blasphemy," and called on Trump to remove the image and seek forgiveness from both the American people and God.
The episode is not the first time religious symbolism has surfaced in Trump's public communications. During his 2023 bank fraud trial, he shared a courtroom sketch from a supporter that placed him seated beside Jesus.
His inner circle has also repeatedly cast him in a Christ-like light. Earlier this month, at a White House Easter lunch, televangelist and longtime spiritual advisor Paula White-Cain drew a direct parallel between Trump and Jesus, telling the president, "You were betrayed and arrested and falsely accused. It's a familiar pattern that our Lord and Savior showed us."
The blending of political and religious identity has become a recurring feature of Trump's public persona, though Monday's image appears to have crossed a line even for supporters who have otherwise embraced that framing.
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