Greene slams evangelical leader’s defense of Trump after AI Jesus post

The Hill
by Sophie Brams
April 16, 2026
14 views
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized Franklin Graham for defending President Trump's AI Jesus social media post.

AI Summary

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) slammed Evangelical leader Franklin Graham on Thursday for defending President Trump. Graham had defended President Trump’s since-deleted social media post depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure. Graham, a close Trump ally, stated on X that he did not believe Trump would knowingly depict himself as Jesus Christ, referencing Trump’s explanation for the post. This public disagreement highlights a rare rift between prominent conservative figures over the President's actions. The incident centers on a controversial AI-generated image shared by President Trump.

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

1 source

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Story Tracker

This article is part of a story we're tracking:

Trump's Controversial AI Jesus Image and Pope Leo Feud

President Trump faced widespread criticism and backlash for posting an AI-generated image depicting him as a Jesus-like figure on social media. This incident coincided with a public feud between Trump and Pope Leo XIV, where the Pope responded to Trump's criticisms by stating he had 'no fear' of the administration.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and AI Jesus Image Controversy

President Trump has engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff as 'weak' on various issues. This controversy was further fueled by Trump posting and then deleting an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, drawing widespread criticism and concern.

Trump's AI Image as Jesus and Feud with Pope Leo

President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, which he later claimed was meant to portray him as a doctor. This incident, combined with his public criticisms of Pope Leo XIV, has drawn widespread criticism and sparked debate about his behavior and religious commentary.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and AI Jesus Image

President Donald Trump engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff's stance on the Iran conflict. This was further complicated by Trump sharing an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, drawing widespread criticism from religious leaders and the public.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and AI Jesus Image Controversy

President Donald Trump engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff and later posting an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure. This sparked widespread criticism and debate, particularly among Catholic voters.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and AI Jesus Image

President Trump engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff for his comments on the war in Iran. Amidst this, Trump posted and later deleted an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, which drew widespread criticism and further controversy.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo and AI Image Backlash

President Trump has engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff for his views on the Iran war. This controversy was further fueled by Trump posting and later deleting an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, drawing widespread condemnation from Christian conservatives and Catholic leaders.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and AI Image Controversy

President Trump engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff as 'weak' and 'terrible for foreign policy.' The controversy intensified when Trump posted, then deleted, an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, drawing widespread criticism and accusations of blasphemy from Christian conservatives.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and Jesus-like Image

President Trump engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff's stance on the Iran war. This controversy was further fueled by Trump posting and later deleting an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, drawing significant backlash from Christian conservatives and others.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and AI Image Controversy

President Trump has engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff's stance on the Iran conflict. This dispute was exacerbated by Trump posting and later deleting an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, drawing widespread criticism.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo and AI Image Controversy

President Donald Trump has engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff's stance on U.S. foreign policy and the war in Iran. This controversy was further fueled by Trump posting and then deleting an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, drawing widespread backlash.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo and Jesus Image Controversy

President Trump's social media post depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, coupled with an escalating feud with Pope Leo XIV, has sparked widespread controversy. The image, later deleted, drew criticism from religious leaders and political figures alike, highlighting deep-rooted tensions between the Trump administration and the Vatican.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo and 'Jesus' Image Controversy

President Donald Trump's feud with Pope Leo XIV intensified after Trump posted and later deleted an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure. The image drew widespread criticism for blasphemy and sparked a debate among religious leaders and political commentators.

Trump's Controversial AI Image and Feud with Pope Leo

Donald Trump sparked controversy by posting an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus, which he later deleted after significant backlash. This incident further fueled his ongoing public feud with Pope Leo, whom Trump has criticized as 'weak on crime' and 'terrible for foreign policy'.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo and AI Image Controversy

President Trump has engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo, criticizing the pontiff's stance on foreign policy and war. This conflict was exacerbated by Trump posting and then deleting an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus, drawing significant backlash from religious leaders and conservatives.

Trump's AI Image and Feud with Pope Leo Spark Controversy

President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by posting an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, which he later deleted after widespread criticism. This incident is intertwined with an ongoing public feud between Trump and Pope Leo XIV, whom Trump has criticized for his views on the Iran war and other issues.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and 'AI Jesus' Image Controversy

President Trump is engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, primarily over the Iran war. The controversy intensified after Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, leading to widespread backlash and concerns among Catholic voters.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and AI Jesus Image Controversy

President Trump is embroiled in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, stemming from the Pope's criticism of the Iran war. The controversy deepened after Trump posted and later deleted an AI-generated image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure, drawing bipartisan backlash and dismay from Catholics.

Trump's AI Jesus Image Controversy and Feud with Pope Leo

President Donald Trump posted and later deleted an AI-generated image depicting him as a Jesus-like figure, sparking bipartisan backlash and dismay among US Catholics. This incident further fueled an ongoing feud between Trump and Pope Leo XIV, who has criticized Trump's stance on the Iran war.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo XIV and AI Jesus Image Controversy

President Trump is engaged in an escalating feud with Pope Leo XIV, primarily over the pontiff's criticism of the Iran war. The controversy deepened after Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus, drawing widespread backlash and comments from political figures and religious leaders.

Trump's Feud with Pope Leo and Mental Acuity Concerns

President Trump is engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, stemming from the Pope's criticism of the Iran war and Trump's controversial AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus. This, coupled with a pattern of erratic behavior, has led to questions about Trump's mental acuity.

Trump-Pope Leo XIV Rift and JD Vance's Comments

A public rift has emerged between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, with Trump criticizing the Pope's stance on various issues. Vice President JD Vance has publicly weighed in, advising the Pope to 'be careful' when discussing theological matters, potentially impacting political support among conservative Catholics.

VP Vance's Public Criticism of Pope Leo and Trump's Attacks

Vice President JD Vance has publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV, advising him to 'be careful' when discussing theology, leading to heckling at a Turning Point USA event. This comes amidst President Trump's repeated attacks on Pope Leo, contributing to a public rift that is reportedly costing him support.

Criticism of Pope Leo XIV by Trump and Vance

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV, particularly regarding the Pope's stance on the Iran war and religion. This has drawn reactions from political figures and the Pope himself.

Trump's Criticism of Pope Leo XIV and Religious Posts

President Trump has engaged in an ongoing public dispute with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff's calls for peace and stance on the Iran conflict. This has been accompanied by Trump's own controversial religious-themed social media posts, including AI-generated images.

Trump Administration's Strained Relationship with Pope Leo XIV

President Trump has engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV, criticizing the pontiff's stance on the Iran conflict and other political matters. This unusual tension has drawn reactions from political figures and religious experts, highlighting a divergence in views between the administration and the Vatican.

Trump Administration and Pope Leo XIV Conflict

Vice President Vance and other Trump administration officials have escalated criticism against Pope Leo XIV, warning him to 'be careful' and 'leave politics alone' after the Pope's critiques of Trump policies. This has ignited a theological debate and drawn comparisons to past papal political engagement.

Trump's Planned Triumphal Arch and 'Jesus' Meme Controversy

The Trump administration has unveiled plans for a 250-foot 'Triumphal Arch' to commemorate the 250th anniversary of US independence. Separately, President Trump faced scrutiny for posting a 'Jesus' meme, which he discussed with an aide before posting.

Pope Leo XIV's Condemnation of 'Tyrants' and Trump Spat

Pope Leo XIV, during his visit to Cameroon, strongly condemned 'tyrants' who exploit the land and spend billions on wars, a statement widely interpreted as a rebuke of President Trump following a recent public disagreement. The Pope's remarks have drawn significant attention and commentary.

Pope Leo XIV's Criticism of 'Tyrants' and Spat with Trump

Pope Leo XIV, during his visit to Cameroon, strongly criticized 'tyrants' who spend billions on wars and exploit the world. These remarks came days after a public disagreement with U.S. President Donald Trump, leading to calls for Trump to apologize.

Pope Leo XIV's Criticism of 'Tyrants' and Spat with Trump

Pope Leo XIV has publicly condemned 'tyrants' who spend billions on wars, making these remarks during his visit to Cameroon. These statements came shortly after a public disagreement with President Trump, leading to calls for Trump to apologize to the Pontiff.

Pope Leo XIV's Criticism of 'Tyrants' and Trump Spat

Pope Leo XIV, during a visit to Cameroon, strongly condemned 'tyrants' for 'ravaging the Earth with war and exploitation.' These remarks came days after a public disagreement with President Donald Trump, leading to calls for Trump to apologize.

Pope Leo XIV's Criticism of 'Tyrants' Amidst Feud with Trump

Pope Leo XIV, during a visit to Cameroon, strongly condemned 'tyrants' for 'ravaging the Earth with war and exploitation.' These remarks came amidst a public disagreement with President Donald Trump, leading to speculation about the target of his criticism.

Pope Leo XIV's Criticism of 'Tyrants' Amidst Feud with Trump

Pope Leo XIV has publicly condemned 'tyrants' who 'ravage the world with war and exploitation' during his visit to Cameroon. These remarks come amidst an ongoing public feud with President Trump, who has criticized the Pope.

Pope Leo XIV's Standoff with Trump and Condemnation of 'Tyrants'

Pope Leo XIV has issued strong condemnations against 'tyrants' ravaging the world with war and exploitation, remarks made amidst an ongoing feud with President Trump and his administration. The Pope's statements, including a declaration against manipulating religion, highlight a growing public disagreement.

Pope Leo XIV's Criticism of Religious Manipulation and Feud with Trump

Pope Leo XIV has publicly criticized those who 'manipulate religion' for political and military gain, remarks widely seen as a rebuke to the Trump administration. This has sparked a public feud, with implications for Trump's support among Catholic voters and responses from his allies.

Iran & Middle East Conflict

Tracking the evolving military and diplomatic situation across the Middle East, including US-Iran tensions, Israeli operations, proxy conflicts, and the broader geopolitical implications for the region.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

House Republican says Trump ‘almost a second coming’ amid backlash over AI Jesus posts
Politics

House Republican says Trump ‘almost a second coming’ amid backlash over AI Jesus posts

Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) likened President Trump to a “second coming” amid backlash over the president’s feud with Pope Leo XIV and his administration’s use of religious language when discussing the Iran conflict. “I believe that Donald Trump is better than sliced bread. I think he’s almost a second coming, in my humble opinion,” Nehls…

The HillApr 17
WATCH: President Trump speaks to reporters
Politics

WATCH: President Trump speaks to reporters

President Trump answered questions from reporters after he was asked about posting a now-deleted AI-generated image that depicted him as a Jesus-like figure.

ABC NewsApr 16
US Justice Department adds former Trump lawyer to probe of former CIA director, CNN reports - Reuters
Politics

US Justice Department adds former Trump lawyer to probe of former CIA director, CNN reports - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizAFBVV95cUxOS0lJQmdXVG1hU2cxdVB6eElqYUpVcXR5WURXdE13V1hON1ZOSkxaTmJVc1ZER0QtNkhCM1lrelJMZWEyd3VaVUxuV3hVZUFvYlBRRVdnUGpJWFNFYmJLVmNmak5Oem1iQVVVTnNnYUYwbDlQcTNFUHU1cmtaTlBfbEo4VlpyLXhqOTNTbXI2N04yanFPdGhwd3hraHVtMTFuSkNFVUVhcmhsVjhwMFZWTjR4LWVCRFpnTm50bkcxSlZteVhNOTVObXVkTms?oc=5" target="_blank">US Justice Department adds former Trump lawyer to probe of former CIA director, CNN reports</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersApr 18
Trump Media replaces Nunes as Truth Social CEO after stock plunge that wiped out billions
Corporate

Trump Media replaces Nunes as Truth Social CEO after stock plunge that wiped out billions

The Trump business behind Truth Social is replacing a former congressman and big supporter of the U.S. president as the leader of the social media platform after a stock collapse that wiped out billions in investor wealth.

PBS NewsHourApr 23
Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving in latest departure of a top defense leader - AP News
National Security

Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving in latest departure of a top defense leader - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimgFBVV95cUxNYTE5YTVTVDk2WUQydDVQRFFMNk8weGpYMm5idFlPQWk2YkdITGpmVDdJdHMwbkZhZ0JibUxZcngtTDg1UmNCVVkyVW5qd0R2a2pMeVZhYjhzNGFiZzd1S09DcTNSUHAyUm0wNlVoOTZvU0hOV25Va3JDcWN1c2RfSGVwV0pLdnJ0S3d3MG51NXZzNTZjbjZPSkhn?oc=5" target="_blank">Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving in latest departure of a top defense leader</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 22
The week in pictures: Orban ousted in Hungary, Pope Leo's Africa tour and Trump as Jesus
Global

The week in pictures: Orban ousted in Hungary, Pope Leo's Africa tour and Trump as Jesus

Hungary ended 16 years of Viktor Orban’s rule, Pope Leo XIV began his first African tour with a historic first papal visit to Algeria and US President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus. Here is a look back at some of the week’s most striking images.

© Alberto Pizzoli, AFPApr 19
Read Next
US House Oversight members divided on Ghislaine Maxwell pardon, chairman says - Reuters
Politics

US House Oversight members divided on Ghislaine Maxwell pardon, chairman says - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwAFBVV95cUxPNDg3cDdiN3ZXUzRqeXhxb015OVhyZmM2R1NudEktY2UxbVNVaWwxYkpfWnFfenBtc2Yyc1czcE5BcGhiU0lfbV9CRzhUY1ZDcFRRZmN6YjFNOWp3TDQxSGZ5eUdiRldWOEhoWE5LMko4U3lRZnI3UDBFMFp4LUZtNkEyX0c4aVBQVzdNUVMtNjZ6WUlVMVloVUQzUUpFTk9nVF9fc2JidXE0MFpSRGxKRGJmdUs3d0FIUExLSWtyWTg?oc=5" target="_blank">US House Oversight chair says some panel members open to Ghislaine Maxwell pardon</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources