Former President Donald Trump posted a digitally altered image of himself dressed as the pope on Truth Social late Friday night. The image, which he shared without a caption, quickly sparked polarized reactions across social media platforms.
Many saw it as a provocative or satirical move, while others criticized it as inappropriate, especially given its timing, just days after the death of Pope Francis. Newsweek reached out to the Vatican for comment but has not yet received a response.
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The AI-generated image drew a wide spectrum of reactions. Supporters like comedian Terrance K. Williams praised the post, calling it clever trolling of the media, while critics such as health advocate Melanie D’Arrigo condemned it, referencing Trump’s past behavior.
Trump’s own comments earlier in the week, joking about becoming the next pope, further fueled the controversy. While he eventually named Cardinal Timothy Dolan as a respected figure, his initial remarks were seen by many as irreverent.
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The death of Pope Francis on April 21 has led to widespread speculation about who might succeed him. Names have been floating online and in betting circles, with figures like Cardinal Dolan being considered.
Even Trump’s allies have joined in the satirical commentary—Senator Marco Rubio joked about papal eligibility during a Fox News interview, while Vice President JD Vance added humor with a social media post suggesting Rubio could handle the role.
Mixed Reactions and Deeper Concerns Over Trump’s Papal Image Spark Cultural Debate
Public figures and political personalities offered mixed takes. Senator Lindsey Graham expressed tongue-in-cheek support for the idea of a Trump papacy, referring to it as a “dark horse” scenario.
Meanwhile, opposition voices, including the “Republicans Against Trump” group, decried the post as evidence of Trump’s increasing detachment from reality. MAGA-aligned accounts, on the other hand, enthusiastically embraced the idea, calling him a potential “best Pope ever.”
Critics have voiced deeper concerns beyond the meme. Some, like artist Art Candee and historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat, saw the post as a symptom of a growing personality cult around Trump.
Ben-Ghiat called it an “authoritarian leader cult alert,” suggesting that the image represents more than just a joke—it reflects the normalization of political figures adopting religious iconography for personal glorification. The conversation continues to reflect a deep cultural divide over Trump’s behavior and symbolic gestures.
