AI Image of Trump as Pope Sparks Outrage
DONALD TRUMP – The U.S. President stirred controversy after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope, an act that many found disrespectful and ill-timed.
The image, shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform, depicted him wearing full Papal robes while seated on an ornate throne with one finger raised, mimicking the traditional gesture of blessing. The post came just days after Trump attended the funeral of the late Pope Francis and as the Catholic Church prepared for the sacred Conclave to elect the next pontiff.
The image, which quickly went viral, drew widespread backlash online, particularly from religious communities and political figures. One of the most vocal critics was Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, a respected Filipino Catholic leader. Cardinal David responded firmly to the image with a multilingual message posted on social media, stating, “NOT FUNNY, SIR” — including a Filipino translation to directly address his audience. He stressed that Trump’s portrayal as the Pope was not only inappropriate but also deeply offensive, especially given the solemn period of mourning within the Catholic Church.
Cardinal David stressed that the timing of the post made it especially disrespectful, as the global Catholic community was still grieving the loss of Pope Francis. According to him, this was no laughing matter, and such imagery mocked a position of deep religious significance. His statement resonated with many Catholics who felt that Trump’s actions trivialized their faith.
This is not the first time Trump has used AI-generated images to depict himself in powerful or symbolic roles. Earlier this year, he also shared a digitally created image of himself wearing a crown in celebration of a local policy change, which again raised questions about his use of religious and royal symbolism for political or personal branding.