Trump shares digitally altered photo depicting himself as the pope on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Trump's AI-generated image of himself in papal regalia, posted on his Truth Social platform just 11 days after Pope Francis's death, has sparked plenty of buzz and diverse reactions, touching on elements of humor and controversy.
Shared early on a Saturday morning, the image features a gold cross around Trump's neck, causing quite the stir. It was published on the White House X and Instagram accounts, accompanied by no comment or explanation. Despite the outcry, the image gathered more than 100,000 likes on Instagram.
With the world leader previously expressing his desire to be the next pope, it seems Trump found humor in such a scenario just a few days earlier, joking he'd love the position.
The image evoked fierce criticism, with users calling it "disgusting," "disturbing," "disrespectful," and "offensive." Critics accused Trump of mocking the late Pope Francis, but by noon UK time, the post counted more than 58,000 likes on Instagram.
Trump's decision drew mixed reactions on X, with some stating he was "making a mockery of the pious," while others perceived it as "not a wise decision." Unlike the negative user comments, the reactions on Instagram pointed to a more amused audience, finding the image as mere humor.
While the image may have divided opinions, Trump's actions serve as a reminder of the ongoing political divide in the country and the power of social media in spreading content, stirring debate, and sustaining public discourse. Additionally, Trump's use of humor or provocative statements to stay in the limelight continues to define his public persona.
- The AI-generated image of Trump in papal regalia, posted on both Truth Social and Instagram, has amassed over 100,000 likes, showcasing the influence of social media in popular culture.
- Trump's controversial Instagram post, featuring a gold cross around his neck, has drawn both criticism and support, highlighting the divisive nature of entertainment and celebrity antics across social-media platforms.
- Parodying the late Pope Francis, the image evoked strong emotions, with some branding it "disgusting," "disturbing," and "disrespectful," while others saw it as mere humor.
- Given Trump's past statements about aspiring to become the pope, the image appears to leverage humor in a way that both engages and polarizes, reflecting the broader societal divide on the use and impact of war-of-words in public discourse.
- Despite the backlash, Trump's decision to use social-media as a platform for humor and entertainment continues to be effective in retaining his pop-culture status, exploiting the power of these networks to attract attention and remain relevant.
