Trump Deletes AI-Generated Image Post, Criticizes Pope Leo on Policy

President Trump deleted a Truth Social post on Monday that featured an AI-generated image appearing to depict him as a Jesus-like figure healing a sick patient. The post, shared late Sunday without a caption, drew widespread criticism for its perceived irreverence. Trump stated the deletion was to avoid confusion among viewers.

In an interview with CBS News, Trump described the image as showing him in billowy white and red robes, with one hand on a man's forehead in a hospital bed and a heavenly light from his other hand. He maintained that he viewed it as a depiction of himself as a doctor associated with the Red Cross, surrounded by medical personnel.

Trump said most people initially interpreted it similarly as a lighthearted portrayal.

Trump addressed the backlash during the CBS News interview, noting he normally avoids removing posts but did so because people were confused. The image first appeared on a conservative commentator's X account and prompted online condemnation for being offensive. Criticism came from various quarters, including some within Trump's political base.

Conservative activist Riley Gaines publicly questioned the post on X, stating she could not understand why Trump would share it and suggesting humility would serve him well. Trump responded by saying he did not listen to Gaines and is not a fan of hers. Gaines later indicated she would continue supporting Trump and his agenda, describing the post as missing the mark but not personal.

In a separate development, Trump lashed out at the pontiff in a lengthy Truth Social post late Sunday, calling the pontiff weak on crime and terrible on foreign policy. The criticism followed a "60 Minutes" report highlighting the pontiff's disapproval of mass deportations. Trump told CBS News that the pontiff is wrong on the issues and should stay out of politics.