Trump Shares Second AI-Generated Religious Image, Faces Backlash

US President Donald Trump has posted another AI-generated image on his X account, this time showing him being embraced by Jesus Christ against a backdrop of the US flag. The post, originally shared by the pro-Trump account @Dkelly4congress, included Trump’s caption: “The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice.”

The image follows a recent controversy where Trump shared, then deleted, an AI picture of himself in Papal robes, sparking widespread criticism for appearing blasphemous. While the latest post frames him as being supported by Jesus rather than portraying himself as a savior, critics argue it continues to misuse religious imagery for political purposes.

The account @Dkelly4congress described the image as divine support against “satanic, demonic, child-sacrificing monsters,” a reference tied to QAnon conspiracy theories. Trump’s repost was widely interpreted as a move to appease religious supporters offended by the first image.

Religious leaders and organizations have condemned the posts. The Knights Templar International called the images “offensive and blasphemous,” demanding their removal. Catholic authorities, including Archbishop Paul Coakley and the New York State Catholic Conference, described the images as “deeply disrespectful,” particularly amid ongoing tensions with Pope Leo XIV.

Critics also question the psychological implications of the images. Experts suggest they may reflect a need for validation or messianic symbolism, while some view them as political “memetic warfare” to distract from controversies.

Supporters, including US Vice President J.D. Vance, defended Trump, describing the post as humorous and a part of his unfiltered communication style. Vance emphasized that the first image was deleted because people misunderstood Trump’s intention, framing both images as expressions of his connection with followers rather than genuine religious claims.