Trump Deletes Jesus Christ-Like AI Post After Facing Backlash From Religious Conservatives Amid Iran Naval Blockade Threat
The post on the Truth Social platform also came amid his feud with Pope Leo, who has recently criticised the US-Israeli war against Iran as inhumane. Trump got back at Leo by calling him “WEAK on crime" on Truth Social.
- World News
- 4 min read
Washington: After posting an AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure, which drew widespread criticism from several religious conservatives, US President Donald Trump deleted the post on Monday.
The post on the Truth Social platform also came amid his feud with Pope Leo, who has recently criticised the US-Israeli war against Iran as inhumane. Trump got back at Leo by calling him “WEAK on crime" on Truth Social.
The controversial post that depicted Trump in a white robe with an apparently healing hand on a prone man's head, was seen as offensive to many, especially those who are among the Republican President's staunch supporters, whose support was critical to his last election victory.
The painting-like image showed him holding a glowing orb in one hand. His other hand seems to touch an apparently sick man on his forehead. The Statue of Liberty, fireworks, a fighter jet and eagles was also seen in the background.
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The Backlash
In a post on X, Brilyn Hollyhand, who served as the co-chair of the Republican National Committee Youth Advisory Council, wrote: “This is gross blasphemy. Faith is not a prop. You don’t need to portray yourself as a savior when your record should speak for itself.”
Riley Gaines, an outspoken critic of transgender athletes in women’s sports who was also a strong Trump supporter, wrote on X, “Does he actually think this?”
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“Either way, two things are true. 1) a little humility would serve him well 2) God shall not be mocked,” she added.
Here's His Explanation
Speaking at a press conference on the now-deleted image posted Sunday night which drew widespread condemnation from Evangelical Christian leaders, Trump said, “I did post it.” However, he suggested it had something to do with the Red Cross. “It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better,” he explained.
The Naval Blockade
Meanwhile, the United States has started blockading Iranian ports in an attempt to coerce the nation to submit to making a deal, to put an end to the war, amid the fragile ceasefire.
US Central Command said that the blockade of Iranian ports would start on Monday at 10 AM EDT or 5:30 PM in Iran. It clarified that the blockade "enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf (Persian Gulf) and Gulf of Oman".US President Donald Trump said that the United States will blockade ships entering or exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10:00 AM ET.
Trump also issued a warning to Tehran, asserting that the American military is prepared to sink any Iranian vessels that approach the newly established naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The US President claimed that while the Iranian navy has been significantly degraded, the US has yet to target its smaller, high-speed vessels. He cautioned that should these craft interfere with the blockade, the US Navy would employ the same aggressive tactics used to intercept maritime narcotics traffickers.
"Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at sea. It is quick and brutal," Trump stated in a post on Truth Social.In his social media address, the President further alleged that Iran's primary naval forces had already been "completely obliterated" but noted that the US had not yet “sunk its fast attack ships.”