Trump Posts Christ-Like Image, Angering Conservative Christians

The president's controversial social media post sparked backlash from his own religious supporters.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:06pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and brushstrokes in red, white, and blue, conveying a sense of political and religious tension without depicting any specific individuals or objects.The president's controversial social media post sparks a divisive reaction from his own religious supporters.NYC Today

President Donald Trump faced significant backlash from conservative Christian supporters after posting a seemingly AI-generated image of himself in the likeness of Jesus Christ healing the sick. The post came shortly after Trump lashed out at Pope Leo XIV for criticizing the administration's war in Iran, further angering religious figures on the right.

Why it matters

Trump has long relied on the support of conservative evangelical Christians, who have been one of his most loyal demographics. However, this latest incident highlights growing tensions between the president and some of his religious allies, who are troubled by what they see as Trump's blasphemous and unethical behavior.

The details

The president posted the Christ-like image on social media after attacking Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, for his criticism of the administration's war in Iran. This sparked backlash from prominent conservative Christian figures, including former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Daily Wire contributors Michael Knowles and Megan Basham, and anti-trans activist Riley Gaines, all of whom condemned the post as 'blasphemous' and called for Trump to take it down.

  • Trump posted the image on Orthodox Easter Sunday.
  • The president's attacks on Pope Leo XIV occurred in the days leading up to the controversial social media post.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who posted the Christ-like image of himself on social media.

Pope Leo XIV

The first American-born pope, who has repeatedly condemned the Trump administration's war in Iran from a Christian moral perspective.

Marjorie Taylor Greene

A former Republican Congresswoman and staunch Trump supporter who broke with the president and denounced his Christ-like image post.

Michael Knowles

A conservative pundit and contributor to the Daily Wire who criticized Trump's post as 'outrageous blasphemy'.

Megan Basham

A writer for the Daily Wire who also called for Trump to take down the controversial image.

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What they’re saying

“I completely denounce this and I'm praying against it!!!”

— Marjorie Taylor Greene, Former Republican Congresswoman

“OUTRAGEOUS blasphemy.”

— Megan Basham, Daily Wire Writer

“a little humility would serve him well. God shall not be mocked.”

— Riley Gaines, Anti-trans Activist and Former NCAA Swimmer

What’s next

It remains to be seen how Trump's conservative Christian supporters will respond to this latest controversy, and whether the president will address the backlash or remove the image from his social media accounts.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing divide between Trump and some of his most ardent religious supporters, who are troubled by what they perceive as the president's blasphemous and unethical behavior. It raises questions about the durability of the alliance between Trump and the conservative evangelical movement.