Trump faces backlash over post depicting him like Jesus

Politics Trump faces backlash after posting AI image appearing to depict him like Jesus By Kathryn Watson Kathryn Watson Politics Reporter Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C. Read Full Bio Kathryn Watson April 13, 2026 / 10:44 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Washington — President Trump's Sunday night Truth Social post of an AI-generated image appearing to depict him in the likeness of Jesus Christ sparked intense backlash, even from some of his most vocal supporters. The image, a slightly altered version of one posted months ago by right-wing influencer Nick Adams, shows the president in a white robe and red sash with a ball of light in one hand and the other hand extended in healing. The president's post came on Orthodox Easter, exactly one week after other Christians in the U.S. and around the world celebrated Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday.   President Trump posted this AI-generated image of himself on Truth Social on Sunday, April 12. TruthSocial/@realDonaldTrump As of Monday morning, the president has not apologized the image, nor has he taken it down. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment."Why? Seriously, I cannot understand why he'd post this," responded Riley Gaines, the conservative activist who has been the administration's voice on the topic of transgender athletes in women's sports. "Is he looking for a response? Does he actually think this? Either way, two things are true. 1) a little humility would serve him well 2) God shall not be mocked." "Blasphemy from the Oval Office is not a funny troll," conservative media figure Cam Higby posted to X. "I assume someone has already told him, but it behooves the president both spiritually and politically to delete the picture, no matter the intent," wrote conservative author and podcaster Michael Knowles.  "It's inappropriate and embarrassing. It's offens...