Trump Sparks Outrage with AI Image of Himself as Pope Following Death of Pope Francis

Donald Trump appears as a pope in an AI generated image of himself he posted on his Truth Social account and on X

President Donald Trump has come under fire after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal regalia just 11 days after the death of Pope Francis. The image, shared on Trump’s Truth Social account, depicts him in a white papal robe and mitre, wearing a large crucifix around his neck, in a highly stylized imitation of the late pontiff.

The controversial post followed a comment Trump made when asked by reporters whom he would like to see succeed Pope Francis. “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice,” he joked while speaking on the White House lawn. He added that he did not have a specific preference but noted that a cardinal in New York—likely referencing Archbishop Timothy Dolan—was “very good.”

The timing of the post has drawn widespread criticism, as it comes while the Catholic Church is in mourning and the conclave is actively underway to select a new pontiff. Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke and heart failure, prompting an international period of reflection and remembrance for the late religious leader.

The AI-generated image triggered strong reactions on social media, with many condemning it as tone-deaf and disrespectful. One user 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 commented, “Trump, as someone outside the U.S., I find your post utterly disrespectful to the Catholic community worldwide. The papacy is a sacred institution for millions, and this mockery is an affront to their beliefs.” Other critics noted the inappropriateness of such a post during a solemn period of mourning.

Trump was also criticized for his conduct during Pope Francis' funeral, where he was seen wearing a blue suit—deviating from traditional black mourning attire—and chewing gum during the ceremony. His decision to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the event was similarly called out as ill-timed and inconsiderate by commentators.

The backlash highlights ongoing concerns about the intersection of politics, religion, and digital media, especially when artificial intelligence is used in ways that may offend deeply held beliefs.