Yesterday, Donald Trump faced a backlash for posting an AI-generated photo of himself as Jesus Christ on Orthodox Easter. The image parodied the centuries-old Catholic image of the Divine Physician, with Trump wearing a flowing white mantle and a red robe. A beam of light emanated from his left hand as he rested it on the forehead of a man in a hospital bed. Surrounding him were White individuals, including a veteran, a military member, a surgeon, and a woman in prayer – all under an American flag with eagles and fighter jets soaring above iconic monuments.

The post was swiftly deleted after criticism from loyalist supporters, including Bishop Robert Barron and conservative pundit Michael Knowles. Even the Knights Templar International demanded its removal. Trump denied that he depicted himself as Jesus but claimed to be a doctor instead. His previous posts included an AI-generated meme of him as the pope, aiming for virtue signaling among MAGA Catholics.

However, his latest attempt at portraying himself as an American messiah has cost him some of his most loyal Catholic supporters who now face choosing between supporting Pope Leo or President Trump. This isn’t the first time Catholics have had to make such a choice. The recent rise of wealthy White Catholics in positions of power hasn’t eradicated anti-Catholic sentiment, deeply rooted in America’s history.

Art historians note that light should emanate from Jesus's side wound, not his hand – a glaring illustration of Trump’s ignorance about the art and religion he weaponizes. His false White Christian Jesus is a messianic figure for American Protestant Christian nationalists, blessed by his own blazing light. But it’s clear who he has come to ‘save’.