Trump denies sharing deepfaked image portraying himself as the pope.
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Donald Trump denies mocking Pope Francis, claiming Catholics can't handle a joke.
A peculiar meme popped up on Trump's Truth Social account, depicting the former president in papal attire. The image, which resembled an AI-generated creation, stirred controversy among some Christians.
"Nah, I didn't dress up as the pope, bro," Trump quipped during a recent live stream. "Some genius took an old photo and doctored it up. Maybe it was AI."
When faced with the disapproval from Catholics, Trump simply retorted, "They can't take a joke." However, he also claimed, "Catholics loved it."
Trump insisted he first noticed the image on Sunday evening, and his better half, Melania, thought it was "cute."
Trump, unbaptized in the Catholic faith, is ineligible to become pope and cannot participate in the conclave. Over a hundred cardinal electors (those under 80 years old) are set to vote for the new pontiff this week, following Pope Francis' demise. The intricate rituals of the event, traditionally held in the Sistine Chapel, date back centuries.
FYI:- The image was indeed shared on Truth Social and later promoted by the White House on its official X account.[1][2][3]- The image garnered significant backlash due to its poor taste, especially given the solemnity surrounding Pope Francis' death and the upcoming conclave.[2][3]- Trump's defense and the ensuing controversy further intensified tensions, with some accusing him of disrespecting Catholic traditions and others viewing it as a reflection of broader cultural and political divisions.[3][4]
- Donald Trump's controversial image on Truth Social, depicting him in papal attire, has garnered criticism from some Christians, with Trump claiming Catholics can't take a joke.
- Despite the backlash, Trump insists he found the image "cute," with the image later promoted by the White House on its official X account.
- As the intricate rituals of the upcoming conclave, where over a hundred cardinal electors will vote for a new pontiff, unfold, Trump, unbaptized and ineligible to become pope, remains a divisive figure in both entertainment and politics.
- The controversy surrounding the image further highlights the sensitivities around religious rituals, especially in the context of Pope Francis' demise and the ensuing selection process, which dates back centuries.
