US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to share an AI-generated image that sparked widespread online controversy after it appeared to depict him in a religious, Jesus-like role.
Speaking to reporters, Trump insisted the post was misinterpreted and claimed it was meant to represent him as a doctor assisting humanitarian efforts tied to the Red Cross.
Trump Responds to Backlash
“It wasn’t a depiction. I did post it and I thought it was me as a doctor. And had to do with Red Cross as a Red Cross worker, which we support and only the fake news could come up with that one,” Trump said.
The image, shared on his platform Truth Social, came shortly after Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV as “weak,” adding further attention to the post.
What the AI Image Showed
The AI-generated image showed Trump wearing flowing robes with a glowing hand raised over a hospital patient, surrounded by symbolic imagery including an American eagle, fighter jets, and the Statue of Liberty.
The visual led many online users and religious commentators to interpret it as a sacrilegious or messianic portrayal, triggering backlash across social media platforms.
Public Reaction and Criticism
Critics accused the post of being inappropriate and politically provocative, while others questioned the use of AI-generated imagery by public officials for self-representation.
Religious voices also expressed concern, saying the depiction blurred the line between political messaging and sacred symbolism.
Ongoing Use of AI Images
This is not the first time Trump has used AI-generated visuals on his social media accounts, as he has frequently shared digitally created images to accompany political messaging and commentary.
As debate continues, the incident highlights growing concerns around artificial intelligence in political communication and the increasing influence of synthetic media in public discourse.
