Trump’s papal look is the center of attention

Trump’s papal look is the center of attention, President Donald Trump recently sparked widespread attention by posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope on Truth Social, just days after Pope Francis’s funeral and ahead of the papal conclave to elect a new pope, set to begin on May 7, 2025. The image, showing Trump in white papal vestments, a mitre, and a gold cross, was also shared on official White House X and Instagram accounts, amplifying its reach. This move came after Trump jokingly remarked to reporters that he’d like to be pope, calling it his “number one choice,” and suggested Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York as a “very good” candidate.

Trump, however, made clear that he is not backing away from a to-do list that he insists the American electorate broadly supported when they elected him in November.

The reaction has been polarized. Critics, including the New York State Catholic Conference, condemned the image as offensive, especially during the ongoing mourning period for Pope Francis, who died at 88. They stated, “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President,” emphasizing the solemnity of the upcoming conclave. Italian and Spanish media called it tasteless, and some Catholics, like Jesuit priest Rev. James Martin, labeled it “deeply offensive.” Even some MAGA supporters and anti-Trump Republicans, such as the group Republicans Against Trump, criticized it as disrespectful to the faith of over a billion Catholics. On X, users described it as “disgusting,” “disturbing,” and a mockery of the papacy.

‘A clear insult to Catholics’

But the offensive post sparked instant outrage on X, including from the group Republicans Against Trump, which describes itself as “conservative pro-democracy Republicans fighting Trump and Trumpism.” The group reposted the image, calling it “a clear insult to Catholics and a mockery of their faith.”

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However, Trump’s allies have defended the post. Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, dismissed the backlash, saying he’s “fine with people telling jokes.” Senator Lindsey Graham and far-right influencer Jack Posobiec leaned into the controversy, with Graham posting on X that Trump’s “dark horse” candidacy for pope has “strong momentum” and Posobiec suggesting a “Pope-U.S. President combination” could have “many upsides.” The White House also rejected claims of mockery, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating Trump has been a “staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty.”

The image has fueled cultural commentary, with “Saturday Night Live” mocking it in a sketch, where Colin Jost quipped that Trump was “ordering a one-way ticket to hell.” The controversy builds on earlier criticism of Trump’s behavior at Pope Francis’s funeral, where he wore a blue suit instead of the traditional black, drawing accusations of disrespect. Despite the backlash, the post garnered significant engagement, with over 78,000 likes on X and 58,000 on Instagram, reflecting Trump’s ability to command attention regardless of the sentiment.

To Analyze

This controversy encapsulates a classic Trump-style media moment—blending provocation, religious symbolism, and political performance in a way that polarizes public opinion and dominates headlines. The timing, immediately following Pope Francis’s funeral and right before the conclave, makes the post especially incendiary for many, particularly within the Catholic community. The image’s viral nature, combined with Trump’s flippant remark about wanting to be pope, has elevated it beyond a meme into a global debate about taste, faith, and power.

Critics see this as a disrespectful appropriation of religious imagery, especially during a period of mourning. For practicing Catholics and clergy, the papacy is sacred, not a role to be joked about. The fact that it came from an official White House channel only heightened concerns of impropriety and blurred the line between state and religion.

Supporters, however, appear to view it as Trump being Trump—blunt, provocative, and unfiltered. Some treat it as humorous, symbolic of his anti-establishment brand, or even as a form of trolling the mainstream and religious elite.

What makes this moment particularly volatile is how it intersects multiple sensitive areas: religion, politics, grief, and media influence. Regardless of intent, it has successfully captured attention, provoked emotion, and again showcased Trump’s unique way of shaping public discourse—whether admired or condemned.