Christians condemn Trump post depicting him as Jesus-like figure

• A Sunday Truth Social post — where Trump shared an image that showed him in white and red robes with one hand resting on the forehead of a sick man while the other emanated light — was swiftly labeled "blasphemy" online. It appeared to be deleted from the president's account on Monday morning.
• It's not the first time one of Trump's AI-generated photos has rankled Christians. Weeks after Pope Francis' death, he shared a fake image of himself as the pope, a move that earned him condemnation from even the typically friendly Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

Friction point: The Rev. Paul D. Erickson, bishop of the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, writes to Axios that the image the president shared is "another example of how the current administration is embracing Christian Nationalism."

• He says that approach "seeks to create an unholy and unhealthy alliance between political leadership and divine providence" and "confuses the kingdom of God with a particular government."

The latest: Trump thought the image depicted him as "a doctor" and "had to do with" the Red Cross, he told reporters during a surprise press conference alongside a DoorDash driver while receiving what appeared to be a McDonald's order Monday.

• There was no reference to the Red Cross or a clear depiction of a "Red Cross worker" in the image.

Catch up quick: Trump uploaded the image less than an hour after letting loose on Pope Leo XIV, flaming the leader of the Catholic Church as "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy."

• Asked about the president's attack, Leo told reporters he had "no fear" of the American administration.
• Archbishop Paul Coakley, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he was "disheartened" by the president writing "such disparaging words about the Holy Father."

Zoom out: The president's post sparked a notable outcry from MAGA-world Christians.

• "Why? Seriously, I cannot understand why he'd post this. Is he looking for a response? Does he actually think this?" wrote Riley Gaines, a Fox News contributor who became the face of anti-trans sports participation. She added, "a little humility would serve him well" and "God shall not be mocked."
• Brilyn Hollyhand, also a conservative Gen Z political commentator and outspoken Christian, said in a video shared to X Sunday that "comparing yourself, even jokingly, to Jesus ... undermines the very value that many of us hold dear." His caption read, "This is gross blasphemy."

• Conservative Catholic podcast host Michael Knowles also expressed his discomfort, writing, "I assume someone has already told him, but it behooves the President both spiritually and politically to delete the picture, no matter the intent."

The other side: Laura Loomer, an ally of the president and far-right activist, dismissed the outrage, arguing, "People crashing out over a meme need to chill out."

• The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

State of play: The administration's approach to Christianity and its branches has been a mixed bag, with a sworn aim to eradicate "Anti-Christian Bias" juxtaposed with its aggressive immigration and foreign policy approach that some faith leaders have condemned.

• The war in Iran has broadened that ideological chasm. In a "60 Minutes" interview aired Sunday, three cardinals heading U.S. archdioceses backed Leo's calls for peace, with Cardinal Robert McElroy saying the conflict is not a "just war" under Catholic teaching and is "a war of choice."

Go deeper: Pope calls for peace, and Trump vows hell for Iran on Easter