Trump Posts, Deletes AI Image of Himself as Healer After Backlash

U.S. President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image on his Truth Social platform on Sunday that depicted him in a pose resembling Jesus Christ healing the sick, prompting sharp criticism from some of his religious supporters before he removed it the following day.

The image showed Trump dressed in a white robe and red cloak, extending a glowing hand toward the forehead of a prone man on what appeared to be a hospital bed. In his other hand, he held a luminous orb, while the background featured American symbols including the Statue of Liberty, fireworks, a fighter jet, and soaring eagles. The post came shortly after Trump shared a lengthy criticism of Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, whom he described as weak on crime and ineffective in foreign policy. The pope has emerged as a vocal opponent of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which he has called inhumane and a violation of international law.

Trump addressed the backlash on Monday at the White House, insisting the image had been misinterpreted. "It was me as a doctor making people better, and I do make people better," he told reporters. He added that the portrayal related to support for Red...