Trump deletes Jesus-like post after allies' backlash

TL;DR

President Trump deleted a Truth Social post with an AI-generated image showing him in a Jesus-like pose healing a sick man.
The image stayed up for over 12 hours before removal amid backlash from religious conservatives calling it blasphemous.
Trump claimed he thought it depicted him as a doctor linked to the Red Cross, not a religious figure.

The story at a glance

President Donald Trump posted then deleted an AI-generated image on Truth Social depicting himself in white robes with a glowing hand on a hospital patient's forehead, evoking Jesus healing the sick, against a backdrop of patriotic symbols like eagles and the Statue of Liberty. The post followed Trump's attack on Pope Leo XIV over criticism of US policy in the Iran war. It drew rare condemnation from evangelical and Catholic allies, prompting the deletion on Monday.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/trump-posts-ai-image-himself-jesus-like-figure-drawing-outrage-2026-04-13)[[2]](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/04/13/trump-jesus-religious-conservatives)

Key points

Image posted late Sunday April 12, removed Monday morning after more than 12 hours online.[[3]](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/13/trump-social-media-jesus-image-deleted-00869061)
Trump defended it to reporters: "I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor... making people better," tying it to Red Cross support.[[4]](https://www.facebook.com/CBSNews/posts/president-trump-says-he-posted-the-ai-image-that-appeared-to-depict-the-presiden/1361900635801777)
Backlash included conservatives like Brilyn Hollyhand calling it "gross blasphemy" and Michael Knowles urging deletion for spiritual and political reasons.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/trump-posts-ai-image-himself-jesus-like-figure-drawing-outrage-2026-04-13)
Posted right after Trump criticised Pope Leo XIV as "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy" amid Iran tensions.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/trump-posts-ai-image-himself-jesus-like-figure-drawing-outrage-2026-04-13)
Similar to prior AI images by supporters, but this one directly from Trump's account without caption.[[5]](https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2026/04/13/trump-jesus-painting-warren-davidson-reaction/89591585007)

Details and context

The image shows Trump in biblical-style robes, one hand emitting light over a bedridden man, with onlookers including a nurse and soldier; a demon-like figure appears in some versions, though not confirmed in Trump's post. It surfaced during Trump's feud with Pope Leo XIV, the American-born pontiff who has condemned US actions in the Iran war as inhumane.[[6]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/13/us/politics/trump-jesus-picture-pope-leo.html)

Religious conservatives, usually strong Trump backers, broke ranks over perceived sacrilege, highlighting risks to his evangelical support base. Trump rarely retracts posts, making this a notable concession.[[2]](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/04/13/trump-jesus-religious-conservatives)

Key quotes

"It's supposed to be me as a doctor making people better, and I do make people better." – Trump to reporters at the White House.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/trump-posts-ai-image-himself-jesus-like-figure-drawing-outrage-2026-04-13)
"This is gross blasphemy." – Brilyn Hollyhand, former RNC Youth Advisory Council co-chair, on X.[[1]](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/trump-posts-ai-image-himself-jesus-like-figure-drawing-outrage-2026-04-13)

Why it matters

Even loyal religious supporters criticising Trump underscores limits to tolerance for provocative imagery amid his reliance on evangelical votes. Politically, it risks alienating Catholic and conservative Christians at a time of tensions with the Vatican over Iran policy. Watch Trump's future Truth Social activity and any further comments from religious leaders or the White House on the image's intent.