President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal regalia late Friday, just days after the death of Pope Francis, igniting a wave of backlash from religious communities and political commentators. The image, which depicts Trump seated in a coronation chair wearing a white mitre and crucifix, was posted without comment on his Truth Social platform at 10:29 p.m. The White House later shared the same image on Instagram and X.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 from complications related to a stroke. His funeral, held Saturday in St. Peter's Square, was attended by global dignitaries including Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. The president's appearance drew scrutiny after he wore a blue suit and was observed chewing gum during the service.
The Vatican has not issued a formal response to the post. However, many members of the Catholic community expressed outrage. One user on Truth Social responded: "Please take this down. Many Catholics, myself included, find this as a great disrespect to the past and future leader of our church." Another wrote, "The papacy is a sacred institution for millions, and this mockery is an affront to their beliefs."
Comedian Terrance K. Williams posted on X, "Pope Trump... Lol our President just posted this. He's trolling because he knows the media is going to flip out." Others were more critical, including former congressional candidate Melanie D'Arrigo, who wrote: "The guy who broke all 10 commandments is posting pictures of himself cosplaying as the next Pope."
From Donald Trump Truth Social 05/02/25 10:29 PM pic.twitter.com/6BmCkSY1Q8 — Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 3, 2025
During an exchange with reporters last week, Trump was asked who he wanted to see succeed Pope Francis. "I'd like to be Pope," he said. "That would be my number one choice." He later referenced Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, calling him "very good."
Republican officials appeared to embrace the spectacle. Senator Lindsey Graham posted, "This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind." Senator Marco Rubio, Trump's secretary of state, also joked in a Fox News interview that he was ineligible: "Any unmarried Catholic male can be pope, but I got married and I'm happily married."
As of Saturday, the conclave process to elect Pope Francis' successor is officially underway. Betting markets and analysts have pointed to several leading contenders, though Trump is not among them. The AI post has continued to circulate across social media platforms, with accounts aligned with the MAGA movement declaring Trump would be "one of the BEST Popes to ever live."
Art Candee, a Chicago-based artist and vocal Trump critic, posted: "Donald Trump is now posting AI images cosplaying as the Pope. Bro isn't right in the head." Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat warned on X, "Authoritarian leader cult alert."
