Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred controversy after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope just 11 days after Pope Francis’s death. Shared first on Truth Social, and later reposted without explanation to official White House accounts, the image has gone viral—garnering mixed reactions and accusations of disrespect toward the late pontiff.
Trump’s AI Pope Image Ignites Online Firestorm
Just days after joking about wanting to become the next Pope, Donald Trump has published a digitally altered image of himself in full papal regalia. The AI-generated photo appeared on his Truth Social account early Saturday morning and soon spread to the official White House X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram pages.
In the image, Trump is shown wearing a white robe, papal mitre, and a large golden cross. There was no caption, context, or explanation provided alongside the post.
Controversial Timing: Just Days After Pope Francis’s Passing
The post came just 11 days after the death of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday due to a stroke and heart failure. The Vatican has announced that the conclave to elect the next pope will begin on May 7.
Critics were quick to accuse Trump of mocking the solemn moment. “This isn’t funny. It’s not satire. And it’s not harmless,” wrote one Instagram user. Another called the image “disturbing” and “offensive.”
Trump’s Papal Joke: “I’d Like to Be Pope”
Earlier in the week, while speaking to reporters on the White House lawn, Trump made a provocative comment when asked who he thought should succeed Pope Francis. “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice,” he said, though he added he had no specific preference beyond praising a New York cardinal.
The statement was widely interpreted as flippant, especially in light of the Church’s mourning period.
Trump’s History with Religion and AI Media
Donald Trump has long had a complicated relationship with religion. Raised as a Presbyterian, he later declared himself a non-denominational Christian in 2020. While many question the authenticity of his faith, Trump has consistently appealed to conservative Christians and evangelical voters.
This isn’t the first time Trump has used AI-generated content to push provocative messages. Earlier this year, he shared an AI video portraying a utopian vision of Gaza under his leadership, complete with beaches, skyscrapers, and luxury yachts—featuring Elon Musk and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Criticism Over Vatican Funeral Behavior
In addition to the AI image, Trump faced scrutiny for wearing a non-traditional blue suit and chewing gum during Pope Francis’s funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica. Yet, his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the ceremony was praised by some clergy as “Pope Francis’s miracle.”
Conclusion
Trump’s AI pope image has once again placed him at the center of a cultural and political storm. While the image has gone viral, the timing and tone have left many questioning whether it crossed a line between satire and sacrilege. With the conclave set to begin in just days, tensions around this symbolic moment for Catholics are running high.
