Sunday, 28 Jun 2026

Current affairs publication that encourages citizens’ journalism

Subscribe Now
Townpress Newspaper
  • News
  • Africa
  • World
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • People
  • Motoring
  • Podcast
My News
  • ANC
  • Cyril Ramaphosa
  • eskom
  • facebook
  • SAPS
  • twitter
  • President Cyril Ramaphosa
  • Gauteng
  • DA
  • Nigeria
Townpress NewspaperTownpress Newspaper
Font ResizerAa
  • News
  • Africa
  • World
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • People
  • Motoring
  • Podcast
Search
  • News
  • Africa
  • World
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • People
  • Motoring
  • Podcast
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2014 - 2026 Townpress Newspaper, South Africa - Townpress logo & associated media rights are the intellectual property of Townpress Newspaper. All Rights Reserved.
World

Trump Under Fire For Post Targeting Pope And Using AI Imagery

Town Press
Last updated: April 13, 2026 6:53 pm
By
Town Press
April 13, 2026
Share
2 Min Read
SHARE

Donald Trump has sparked widespread backlash after sharing an AI generated image depicting himself as a Christ like figure, alongside criticism of Pope Leo XIV.

The image, posted on Truth Social, shows Trump in flowing robes appearing to heal a bedridden man, surrounded by symbolic imagery including eagles, fighter jets, US service members, the Statue of Liberty and the American flag.

Controversial Post And Religious Symbolism

The post followed Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV, whom he described as weak on crime and ineffective on foreign policy. The Pope had earlier condemned US Israeli strikes on Iran and criticised threats of large scale destruction, calling them unacceptable.

Trump, who identifies as a nondenominational Christian, also expressed disapproval of the Pope’s stance on nuclear weapons, further fuelling tensions between the two figures.

Backlash From Political And Public Figures

The reaction to the AI image was swift and divisive. Mark Kelly criticised Trump’s remarks, calling them inappropriate and offensive, particularly to members of the Catholic faith.

Even some of Trump’s allies voiced concern. Marjorie Taylor Greene described the image as more than blasphemous, labelling it deeply troubling.

Ukraine Rocked as Ministers Resign in US$100 Million Corruption Scandal
Inside the Bondi Beach Terror Investigation
Gatwick airport ‘reopened for limited number of flights’
Trump Imposes Sanctions on ICC Over Probes Targeting US and Israel

Online, the response ranged from defence of the post to sharp criticism. Some users questioned the identity of the figure in the image, with speculation that it resembled convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein, adding to the controversy.

Debate Spills Across Social Media

The post has ignited broader debate about the use of AI generated imagery in politics, religious sensitivities and the tone of political discourse.

Critics argue the imagery crosses a line by invoking religious symbolism, while supporters maintain it was not intended to offend.

Facebook Comments

.
  • France 4-1 Norway: Dembélé Hat Trick Seals Group I Top Spot At FIFA World Cup
  • Beitbridge Border: BMA Repatriates Over 8,200 Foreign Nationals
  • ‘Cat’ Matlala Confesses To Bribing SAPS Brigadier In R228 Million Tender Case
  • South Africa 1-0 South Korea: Bafana Bafana Reach Historic First World Cup Knockout Stage
TAGGED:Donald Trump
Share This Article
Email Copy Link Print
ByTown Press
Follow:
At Town Press, we believe that everyone with a story deserves to be heard. We’re building a dynamic, citizen-led journalism platform that makes news publishing accessible to all South Africans, from rural townships to urban centers, and from first-time voices to seasoned storytellers.
Previous Article Madlanga Commission: Nkosi Seeks Bail As State Opposes Release
Next Article DA Turns Focus To Parliamentary Leader After Federal Election
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Newsletter Subscription

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Subscribe Here
FacebookLike
XFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
MediumFollow
RSS FeedFollow

Top News

Sport

France 4-1 Norway: Dembélé Hat Trick Seals Group I Top Spot At FIFA World Cup

June 26, 2026
Africa

Beitbridge Border: BMA Repatriates Over 8,200 Foreign Nationals

June 26, 2026
Crime

‘Cat’ Matlala Confesses To Bribing SAPS Brigadier In R228 Million Tender Case

June 26, 2026
Sport

South Africa 1-0 South Korea: Bafana Bafana Reach Historic First World Cup Knockout Stage

June 25, 2026
Top News
Police appeal for help to find missing couple
Community
Illicit Alcohol Under Scrutiny as Compliance Checks Intensify
Community
Henke Pistorius Breaks Silence on Son’s Character and New Venture
Right now
Man stabbed, possibly forced to drink acid on remote gravel road
General news
Gauteng Premier Suspends Health Department Head Over Tembisa Hospital Scandal
General news
Tolashe Calls on SIU and State Security to Address Widespread SRD Fraud
General news

You May also Like

World

Canada mulls cancelling Saudi arms deal over Yemen, Kashoggi murder

December 17, 2018
World

House to vote on a resolution to limit Trump’s military actions: Pelosi

January 6, 2020
World

The Role of Education in Shaping Future Leaders

August 29, 2021
World

Civilians Killed in Israeli Airstrike Amid Rising Tensions

October 14, 2024
Show More
  • More News:
  • ANC
  • Cyril Ramaphosa
  • eskom
  • facebook
  • SAPS
  • twitter
  • President Cyril Ramaphosa
  • Gauteng
  • DA
  • Nigeria
  • South Africa
  • Johannesburg
  • zimbabwe
  • jacob zuma
  • EFF
  • Covid-19
  • KwaZulu-Natal
  • State capture
  • cape town
  • Hawks
Townpress Newspaper

Indigenous Newspaper created to embolden the township ideals of sharing information and connecting people to grassroots content locally and around the world. We believe communal stories are relevant, so we created the platform to tell the stories of real south africans, people you know.

Facebook X-twitter Linkedin Youtube Medium Rss

About Company

  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with US
  • Privacy Policy – T&C
  • Cookie Policy
  • Comments Policy
  • Submit a Tip
  • About Us
Subscribe Now for Real-time Updates on the Latest Stories!
© 2014 - 2026 Townpress Newspaper, South Africa - Townpress logo & associated media rights are the intellectual property of Townpress Newspaper. All Rights Reserved
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
  • Manage options
  • Manage services
  • Manage {vendor_count} vendors
  • Read more about these purposes
View preferences
  • {title}
  • {title}
  • {title}
Welcome to Townpress
Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?