US Vice President JD Vance has addressed criticism of an AI-generated image shared – and later deleted – of President Donald Trump, which many interpreted as depicting Trump in a Christ-like role.
The footage drew backlash from across the political spectrum, including some Trump supporters, after it appeared to show him placing his hand on the head of a handcuffed man amid the patriotic imagery.
Vance calls it a “joke”
Vance dismissed the controversy, saying the post was intended as humor.
“The president posted the joke and of course took it down because he recognized that a lot of people didn’t understand his humor in this case,” Vance told Fox News.
He added that Trump’s unfiltered style is part of his appeal.
“The president of the United States likes to mix it up on social media … that’s one of the good things about this president — that he’s unfiltered.”
He defended Trump’s social media style
Vance argued that Trump’s direct communication with the public sets him apart.
“He’s not sending everything through a communications professional. He’s actually reaching out to people directly,” Vance told the news outlet.
The vice president, a Roman Catholic convert, also suggested Trump remove the post after acknowledging the backlash.
Trump rejects religious interpretation
Trump denied on Tuesday (April 14) that the image had any religious connotations, pushing back against claims that it depicted him as Jesus.
“There’s nothing to apologize for,” Trump said earlier, defending his post.
He insisted that the painting was to depict him as a doctor.
“I thought it was me as a doctor and that it had to do with the Red Cross,” he told reporters.
“It’s supposed to be me as a doctor that makes people better… I make people much better.
Trump also dismissed the criticism as media-driven.
“Only fake news can come with” a religious interpretation, he added.
Clash with the Vatican
The controversy comes amid an ongoing public spat between Trump and Pope Leo XIV. regarding the war in Iran.
Trump criticized the pope, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible” on foreign policy after the pope spoke out against the conflict.
The dispute over image further heightened tensions and added a cultural and religious dimension to the geopolitical dispute.
