Trump Claims Jesus Photo Was Him as a Doctor, Not the Messiah

The former president says the controversial AI-generated image was meant to depict him healing people, not as a religious figure.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:10pm

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A cinematic painting of a solitary figure in a white tunic and red garment, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the controversy over Trump's depiction as Jesus.The former president's controversial self-depiction as a religious figure sparks renewed questions about his judgment and relationship with religious imagery.Washington Today

Former President Donald Trump responded to questions about his controversial AI-generated photo depicting him as Jesus, saying it was supposed to show him as a doctor helping people, not as the Messiah. Trump claimed the image was related to supporting the Red Cross, and he said 'I do make people better' and 'I make people a lot better.' The former president also criticized Pope Leo XIV after the pontiff criticized Trump's foreign policy.

Why it matters

Trump's comments about the Jesus photo and his criticism of the Pope highlight the former president's continued willingness to make provocative and controversial statements, even after leaving office. The incident raises questions about Trump's judgment and his relationship with religious figures and imagery.

The details

In the AI-generated image, Trump is shown wearing a white tunic and red garment, mirroring traditional depictions of Jesus. The image also shows him seemingly healing an ill man with his hands. Trump claims he posted the photo himself, but says it was meant to depict him as a doctor, not the Messiah. He says the image was related to supporting the Red Cross. Trump also criticized Pope Leo XIV, calling him 'weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy' and saying he is 'not a big fan' of the pontiff after the Pope criticized Trump's Iran war.

  • On Sunday, Trump posted and then deleted the meme of himself as Jesus Christ on Truth Social.
  • On Monday, Trump responded to questions about the controversial image.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who posted the controversial AI-generated image of himself as Jesus Christ.

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope who criticized Trump's foreign policy, prompting a response from the former president.

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What they’re saying

“'It wasn't a depiction. I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do with Red Cross. There's a Red Cross worker, which we support, and only the fake news could come up with that one.'”

— Donald Trump, Former President

“'I just heard about it and I said, 'How did they come up with that?' It's supposed to be me as a doctor making people better and I do make people better. I make people a lot better.'”

— Donald Trump, Former President

The takeaway

Trump's response to the Jesus photo controversy and his criticism of the Pope demonstrate the former president's continued willingness to make provocative statements, even after leaving office. The incident raises questions about his judgment and relationship with religious figures and imagery.