Donald Trump has attempted to clarify a controversial, now-deleted AI-generated image of himself appearing as a Jesus-like figure following a heated public dispute with Pope Leo XIV.
The image, which originally appeared on Trump's Truth Social platform, depicted the former president touching the forehead of a sick man in a manner reminiscent of Christ. The New York Times reports that Trump defended the post by claiming he thought the image depicted him as a doctor "making people better," rather than a religious icon.
Unprecedented papal feud
The clarification follows a period of intense vitriol from Trump toward the Vatican leader. Trump recently lambasted Pope Leo XIV as "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy."
The Pope responded by stating he is not afraid to speak out, particularly regarding his recent calls for peace and dialogue in the Iran conflict. The Washington Post suggests this direct confrontation could alienate Trump's religious supporters, noting that such an open war of words between a pope and a president is unprecedented in modern history.
International media outlets have also weighed in on the conflict. Italy's La Repubblica condemned Trump's "contempt" for the pontiff, while the British tabloid Daily Star dismissed the imagery, calling Trump "a very naughty boy, not the Messiah."
In unrelated news, an investigation by The Western Edge has accused Amazon of attempting to cover up the death of a worker at its Troutdale, Oregon, distribution center. According to reports relayed by Futurism, employees claim management instructed staff to continue working for several hours after a worker died while performing heavy lifting.
In the United States, a Minnesota coffee shop called Little Joy Coffee has gained viral popularity after sharing a recipe for one of its signature drinks as part of a social media series.
