Donald Trump has responded to backlash over an AI-generated image he posted and later deleted, saying he believed the picture showed him as a doctor rather than a religious figure.
The image, which appeared on Truth Social, showed Trump in a Christ-like pose appearing to heal a man, sparking widespread criticism online and from religious commentators.
According to Trump, the post was misunderstood. He said the image was meant to represent him as a medical or humanitarian figure linked to the Red Cross, not a depiction of Jesus Christ.
The controversy unfolded shortly after Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” escalating tensions between the two figures.
The timing of the post intensified the reaction, with critics arguing the imagery was inappropriate and disrespectful, especially given the ongoing public dispute with the Vatican.
Trump, however, dismissed the backlash and defended his intent, insisting that the interpretation circulating online was incorrect and driven by media exaggeration.
He also stated that he had no intention of offending religious groups and suggested that critics were misrepresenting the purpose of the image.
The post was eventually removed, but not before it spread widely across social media platforms and sparked global debate about AI-generated political content.
The incident adds to a growing list of controversies involving AI imagery in politics, where digitally created visuals are increasingly influencing public perception and debate.
