Yes, President Donald Trump has sparked significant controversy by posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal attire on his social media platform, Truth Social. This post came shortly after the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 due to a stroke and heart failure.
In the AI-generated image, Trump is depicted wearing white papal robes, a mitre, and a large crucifix, seated on a coronation chair. The image was also shared by the White House on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, further amplifying its reach .
Prior to sharing the image, Trump had jokingly expressed interest in becoming the next Pope, stating, “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice,” when asked about potential successors to Pope Francis .
The timing and nature of the post have drawn criticism from various quarters. Many social media users and commentators have accused Trump of being insensitive and disrespectful to the Catholic community, interpreting the post as mocking the solemn process of selecting a new Pope and the mourning period for Pope Francis .
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While some supporters viewed the image as humorous or satirical, the broader reaction highlights the potential for AI-generated content to cause offense, especially when it intersects with religious sentiments and significant events.
This incident underscores the growing concerns about the use of AI in generating content that can be perceived as misleading or disrespectful, particularly in sensitive contexts.
