US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope on his Truth Social platform. The digitally altered photo shows Trump wearing a white cassock and papal headdress with his forefinger raised, a gesture that has been interpreted as a sign of papal authority.
The image was shared just days before the conclave to elect Pope Francis’s successor is set to begin, drawing criticism from various Catholic leaders and communities. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of the Philippines described the post as “not funny,” while Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, stated that it “wasn’t good.”
Father Gerald Murray of the Archdiocese of New York called the post “silly” and inappropriate, echoing sentiments expressed by Italy’s former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who condemned the image as offensive to Catholics. The Italian daily La Repubblica labeled the action as “infantile” and accused Trump of “pathological megalomania.”
The backlash extended to Catholic groups in the US, with the New York State Catholic Conference expressing disappointment and stating that there was nothing humorous about the image, especially during a period of mourning for Pope Francis. In contrast, the White House defended Trump, highlighting his attendance at Pope Francis’s funeral and his support for Catholics and religious liberty.
Supporters of Trump, including far-right activist Jack Posobiec, framed the image as a joke, suggesting it was made in good humor. However, the incident has reignited debates about the use of AI-generated imagery and its potential to offend or provoke.
This is not the first time Trump has faced criticism for using AI-generated content. Previously, he faced backlash for posting a video that imagined Gaza as a luxurious resort with a golden statue of himself.
