GOP Donor Claims Obama, Axelrod, and Pope Leo XIV Conspiring to Hurt Trump

Allegations of a political plot to impact the Catholic vote in the upcoming midterm elections

Apr. 15, 2026 at 3:37pm

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A highly stylized, fragmented painting in muted blue, green, and gray tones depicting three figures - the Pope, Barack Obama, and David Axelrod - in an overlapping, geometric composition, conveying a sense of political tension and intrigue.A fractured, abstract painting suggests a complex political conspiracy between the Pope, a former president, and a political strategist.Chicago Today

A pro-Trump GOP donor named Hal Lambert believes that former President Barack Obama has been conspiring with his former chief strategist, David Axelrod, and Pope Leo XIV to hurt President Donald Trump's standing with Catholic voters ahead of the midterm elections. Lambert claims that Axelrod's recent visit with the Pope, as well as the Pope's recent criticisms of Trump's foreign policy decisions, are all part of this alleged plot.

Why it matters

This story highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the Catholic Church, as well as the accusations of political scheming that often surround high-profile political figures. The claims made by the GOP donor could impact Trump's support among Catholic voters, a key demographic, in the upcoming midterm elections.

The details

According to Lambert, the evidence of this alleged plot is that Axelrod, Obama's former chief strategist, recently visited Pope Leo XIV, and shortly after, the Pope began criticizing Trump's foreign policy decisions, particularly his threats against Iran. Lambert argues that this is all part of an effort to hurt Trump's standing with Catholic voters ahead of the midterm elections.

  • On April 7, 2026, Pope Leo XIV criticized Trump for threatening to 'wipe out' Iran's 'whole civilization'.
  • On April 12, 2026, Trump fired back at the Pope in a lengthy Truth Social post, attacking him for being 'weak on crime' and 'terrible for foreign policy'.
  • On April 13, 2026, CNN Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten suggested that Trump may be 'jealous' of the Pope's high popularity ratings.

The players

Barack Obama

The former President of the United States, who is accused by the GOP donor of conspiring with the Pope and Axelrod to hurt Trump.

David Axelrod

Obama's former chief strategist, who is accused of meeting with the Pope as part of the alleged plot.

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope, who has recently criticized Trump's foreign policy decisions, which the GOP donor claims is part of the alleged conspiracy.

Hal Lambert

A pro-Trump GOP donor who has made the allegations about the alleged plot between Obama, Axelrod, and the Pope.

Donald Trump

The current President of the United States, who has been the target of the Pope's criticisms and the alleged plot.

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What they’re saying

“This is 100 percent political. This is all about trying to hurt President Trump's Catholic vote during the midterms and Republicans during the midterms. Play out the dots here.”

— Hal Lambert, Pro-Trump GOP donor

“David Axelrod goes and visits Pope Leo last week. They're talking about Obama going to visit Pope Leo. Pope Leo is from Chicago. All of a sudden, now Pope Leo is out attacking Trump and the policies of the United States and Israel.”

— Hal Lambert, Pro-Trump GOP donor

“The pope would say he's not political, [but] why is he meeting with the chief strategist for both Obama's campaign and in the White House?”

— Hal Lambert, Pro-Trump GOP donor

What’s next

It remains to be seen if any further evidence emerges to support the GOP donor's claims of a conspiracy between Obama, Axelrod, and the Pope. The allegations could potentially impact Trump's standing with Catholic voters in the upcoming midterm elections, but the veracity of the claims will need to be scrutinized.

The takeaway

This story highlights the ongoing political tensions and accusations of conspiracy theories that often surround high-profile political figures. While the claims made by the GOP donor are serious, they will need to be thoroughly investigated and substantiated before they can be considered credible. The impact on Trump's support among Catholic voters will be an important factor to watch in the midterm elections.