US President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy after posting an AI-generated image portraying himself as Jesus Christ, intensifying his ongoing feud with Pope Leo XIV.
The image, shared on Truth Social, shows Trump robed and surrounded by radiant light, appearing to perform a healing. Figures resembling angels or soldiers hover nearby, while fighter jets streak across the sky and fireworks explode overhead. The Statue of Liberty looms in the background, blending religious imagery with American military symbolism.
The post comes shortly after Trump launched a series of sharp attacks on the pope, accusing him of being “weak on crime” and ineffective on foreign policy.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump criticised Leo’s stance on global conflicts and nuclear weapons, suggesting the pontiff’s leadership is politically driven. He also claimed the pope’s election was influenced by his American identity, arguing it was intended to counter his presidency.
“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump wrote, while defending his own record on crime and economic performance.
In further remarks to reporters, the US president said he is “not a fan” of the pope, describing him as “very liberal”.
The criticism follows recent comments by Pope Leo during prayers at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, where he called for an end to escalating global conflicts. The pontiff warned against what he described as a growing “delusion of omnipotence” among world leaders.
“Enough of war. True strength is shown in serving life,” the pope said, urging dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
The rift between Trump and Leo has deepened since the pope’s election in 2025. While Trump initially welcomed the emergence of the first American pontiff, relations quickly soured over disagreements on migration, military action, and global diplomacy.
Pope Leo has repeatedly condemned violence linked to ongoing conflicts involving the United States, Israel and Iran, while also criticising mass deportations and immigration crackdowns in America.
The AI-generated image marks the latest flashpoint in the deteriorating relationship between the White House and the Vatican. In 2025, Trump similarly shared an AI image depicting himself dressed as a pope — a move that also drew widespread criticism.
