WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump is once again at the center of controversy after sharing an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope — just 11 days after the death of Pope Francis and days after joking that he would be the “number one choice” to replace the late pontiff.
The image, posted on Trump’s Truth Social account on Friday, May 2, shows the 78-year-old former president seated solemnly in white and gold papal robes, wearing a large cross necklace and raising one finger. The post came without any caption.
The timing of the post raised eyebrows, coming less than two weeks after Pope Francis died of a stroke at the age of 88 on April 21, and just days after Trump attended the pope’s state funeral at the Vatican on April 26.
Social media reaction was swift and divided. Critics labeled the image inappropriate and poorly timed.
“This is literally the President of the United States of America while the Vatican is still grieving,” wrote one user on X, formerly known as Twitter. “It’s not even funny at this point, it’s actually disrespectful and I’m not even Catholic.”
The group Republicans Against Trump called it “full-on lunacy,” while political influencer Harry Sisson added, “Trump just posted an AI image of himself as the Pope. Instead of working to bring down costs, he’s doing this instead. Nice job, MAGA!”
However, some of Trump’s supporters defended the post, arguing that it was clearly satire.
“People are overreacting,” wrote one X user. “It’s obviously a joke — don’t take the bait.”
Trump, known for his flair for social media showmanship, has previously leaned into AI-generated content to stir headlines. In February, he drew widespread criticism after sharing an AI video of Gaza transformed into a beach resort, complete with a Trump-branded tower and statues.
While Trump did not comment on the image this week, his remarks earlier raised similar reactions. When asked by a reporter on the White House lawn about his choice for the next pope, Trump briefly joked, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice,” before clarifying that he had “no preference” on the upcoming conclave, which is set to begin May 7.
The Vatican has not issued any public response to Trump’s papal-themed post.
Pope Francis’ passing has left the Catholic Church preparing for a pivotal conclave. As the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics await a new spiritual leader, some worry that political figures using the moment for satire or self-promotion risk undermining the sacredness of the process.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on confirmed public posts, statements, and reporting from credible sources including Truth Social, public social media platforms, and official Vatican announcements. The United States Morning Post remains committed to accurate, balanced, and responsible journalism.
Update: The Vatican Conclave is expected to begin Tuesday, May 7, in Vatican City. No frontrunner for pope has been officially named, though several cardinals are reportedly being considered.
✅ Fact Check Report
| No. | Claim | Verdict | Evidence | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope on Truth Social on May 2, 2025. | ✅ True | A publicly accessible Truth Social post by @realDonaldTrump dated May 2, 2025, shows an AI image of Trump in papal attire. | Truth Social |
| 2 | The image was posted 11 days after Pope Francis died. | ✅ True | Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025. Trump’s post was on May 2, 2025. | Reuters, BBC |
| 3 | Trump attended Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. | ✅ True | Multiple media outlets confirmed Trump’s attendance at the funeral. | AP News, CNN |
| 4 | Trump joked earlier this week that he would be his “number one choice” to replace the Pope. | ✅ True | Footage from a press interaction on the White House lawn shows Trump saying, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice.” | C-SPAN, ABC News |
| 5 | The Vatican has not responded publicly to Trump’s post. | ✅ True | No official statement was issued by the Vatican Press Office as of May 3, 2025. | Vatican News, [Reuters Vatican Correspondent] |
| 6 | Trump previously shared an AI-generated video about Gaza in February 2025. | ✅ True | Trump posted a digitally altered video on Truth Social in February 2025 showing a fictional “Trump Gaza” resort. | AP, Snopes |
| 7 | The papal conclave is scheduled to begin on May 7, 2025. | ✅ True | The Vatican officially announced that the conclave will begin on May 7. | Vatican News, Reuters |
Conducted by: United States Morning Post Fact-Check Team
Subject: Donald Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as Pope
Scope: To verify the factual accuracy of statements made in a widely circulated news article reporting that former President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope following the death of Pope Francis.
🧾 Summary
All major factual claims in the article were verified as true using publicly available records and credible news sources. The AI-generated image of Donald Trump in papal robes was shared on Truth Social, the timing aligns with verified events, and his previous comments regarding the papacy were documented. There is no evidence of misrepresentation or fabrication in the original article. The tone may be interpreted as critical by some readers, but it stays within the bounds of factual journalism.
Conclusion: ✅ This article is factually accurate and responsibly reported.
