“Don’t mock us,” President Trump slammed for AI Pope image
President Donald Trump has sparked fury in some Catholics after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope.
Image by Getty/Mondadori Portfolio
President Donald Trump has sparked fury in some Catholics after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope.
Following Pope Francis's death, President Donald Trump made a critical error by posting an image generated using artificial intelligence (AI) depicting him as the next Pope.
The image, which has offended many Catholics, shows Trump dressed in religious regalia.
Official White House accounts, including Trump’s “Truth Social” account, shared the image of Trump dressed in a white clerical coat, a headdress traditionally worn by Bishops called a pointed mitre, and a large crucifix around his neck. The post received 36,000 likes and over 8,000 “ReTruths.”
While Trump isn’t the only US president to seemingly mock the faith, as former president Joe Biden sparked outrage among the religious community after he made the sign of the cross at a pro-abortion rally back in 2024, Trump garnered a lot of negative attention from netizens.
One X user said, “Trump just posted an AI image of himself as the Pope. Instead of working to bring down costs, he’s doing this instead. Nice job, MAGA! You elected a man-child.”
Trump just posted an AI image of himself as the Pope. Instead of working to bring down costs, he’s doing this instead.
undefined Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) May 3, 2025
Nice job, MAGA! You elected a man-child. pic.twitter.com/iXQz41AcDq
The Catholic organization, NYS Catholic Conference, clapped back at Trump’s post, saying that there’s “nothing clever or funny about this image.”
“We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us.”
There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us. https://t.co/ortxbkDlT5
undefined NYS Catholic Conference (@NYSCatholicConf) May 3, 2025
Cardinal Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, told reporters that the AI image “wasn’t good” and that he hoped Trump “didn’t have anything to do with that.”
Cardinal Dolan on Trump posting an AI image of himself as the Pope:
undefined Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) May 4, 2025
I hope he didn’t have anything to do with that…It was not good… brutta figura.
pic.twitter.com/ROaLwDPzns
The White House, however, rejected the notion that Trump was making fun of the papacy.
"President Trump flew to Italy to pay his respects to Pope Francis and attend his funeral, and he has been a staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty," said press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
This controversy comes ahead of the papal conclave, which will decide who will succeed Pope Francis after his death, and is scheduled to begin on May 7th, 2025, in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.