In a recent incident, Donald Trump faced controversy over an AI-generated image of himself dressed as a pope, shared on his Truth Social account. Denying involvement, Trump stated that someone else created the picture and suggested it may have been AI-generated. Despite some Catholics expressing offense, Trump dismissed their reactions, stating, “They can’t take a joke.” He claimed that Catholics actually enjoyed the image. Trump mentioned that he first saw the image on Sunday evening and shared that the First Lady, Melania Trump, found it “cute.” Notably, Trump clarified that he was not baptized as a Catholic, making him ineligible for the papacy or participation in the conclave.

The image, which featured Trump in white and gold pontiff attire, sparked controversy among Christians and led to discussions about the appropriateness of such portrayals. While Trump downplayed the situation and attributed the image’s creation to someone else, the incident highlighted the intersection of humor, religious symbolism, and digital manipulation in today’s online landscape.

This incident underscores the complexities of social media, humor, and public figures’ representations, prompting conversations about the boundaries of satire and respect in online content creation. As the controversy unfolded, it also shed light on differing perspectives on religious iconography and the interpretation of political figures through comedic imagery.