Trump Shares AI Image of Himself as Pope, Sparking Mixed Reactions

Former President Donald Trump recently shared an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope on his Truth Social platform, which was later reposted by the White House. The image depicts Trump in traditional papal attire including white robes, a papal hat, and a crucifix. The timing coincides with the upcoming papal conclave to select a new leader of the Catholic Church following Pope Francis' death on April 21.

The social media post has generated significant backlash, particularly from Catholic community members who viewed it as disrespectful to their faith. Critics described the image as an affront to religious beliefs and called for its removal. The Republicans Against Trump account characterized the post as "full-on lunacy," while other commenters questioned the appropriateness of the former president's actions.

Some supporters responded positively to the image, with certain accounts suggesting Trump would make "one of the BEST Popes to ever live" or that he could "Make The Church Greater Again." These supporters created additional memes and edited videos featuring Trump in papal scenarios, including one depicting him serving McDonald's at the Vatican and using a water gun to dispense holy water.

The controversy follows Trump's earlier comments to reporters where he jokingly expressed interest in becoming the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church following Pope Francis' death. Trump attended Pope Francis' funeral along with thousands of others after the pontiff died at age 88 from a stroke and heart failure. The papal conclave to select a new Pope is scheduled to begin in the coming days.

The White House's decision to repost the image on X (formerly Twitter) further amplified the reach and discussion surrounding the AI-generated content. The incident highlights the ongoing intersection of political figures, social media, religious institutions, and the growing use of AI-generated imagery in public discourse.