Catholic Vance Voices Opinion on Trump’s Jesus-Like Image Amid Backlash From Other Conservatives

(SeaPRwire) –   Vice President J.D. Vance, a Catholic, has attempted to minimize the controversy surrounding President Donald Trump’s decision to post and subsequently delete an AI-generated image depicting him in a Jesus-like manner, a move that has provoked criticism from Christians and conservatives alike.

“I believe the President was simply making a joke,” Vance stated regarding the image, which portrayed Trump as a robed figure with light radiating from his hands. “Naturally, he took it down after realizing that many people did not comprehend his humor in that instance.” 

He continued, noting that the President “enjoys being provocative on social media,” a trait Vance considers one of his “positive attributes” because he is “unfiltered.”

Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019 and recently announced plans for a memoir about his faith, also addressed the strain between the Trump Administration and the Vatican.

While Vance conceded that “disagreements on matters of public policy” are inevitable and “reasonable,” he suggested that “at times, it would be preferable for the Vatican to focus on moral issues… and allow the President to handle the determination of American public policy.”

The President recently openly criticized Pope Leo, labeling him as “weak on crime” and “dreadful for foreign policy” following the Pontiff’s call to end the war in Iran.

Trump, for his part, provided his own interpretation of the “joke” post when questioned by reporters at the White House on Monday, maintaining that it was never meant to represent him as Jesus.

“I did post it, and I saw it as myself as a doctor,” he explained. “It related to the Red Cross; there is a Red Cross worker depicted there, an organization we support.”

Appearing to attribute the backlash to the media, he added: “Only the fake news could fabricate something like that.”

However, numerous prominent conservatives, including some who are typically Trump supporters, have condemned the image.

Republican Representative Warren Davidson of Ohio described the post as “troubling.”

“While there might be a method to the madness, this Truth Social post is nothing short of madness. It is very troubling,” he remarked.

Former Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, previously one of Trump’s most fervent backers before their relationship soured last year, took it a step further, implying the image was blasphemous.

“On Orthodox Easter, President Trump attacked the Pope because the Pope is justifiably opposed to Trump’s war in Iran, and then he posted this picture of himself as though he is replacing Jesus,” she stated. “I wholly denounce this and am praying against it.”

Conservative activist Riley Gaines also criticized the image, noting that “a little humility” would be beneficial for Trump. “God shall not be mocked,” she declared.

Trump, following the deletion of the post, stated that Gaines’ criticism played no role in his choice, arguing: “I didn’t listen to Riley Gaines. I’m actually not a big fan of Riley.”

Gaines later expressed approval for the removal of the post, which she said had “missed the mark,” and affirmed she would continue to back Trump and the “America first agenda.”

This is not the first occasion on which Trump has shared an image that seems to portray him as a religious icon.

Following the passing of Pope Francis last year, and during discussions regarding his potential successor, Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as a Pope, mere days after joking that he would like to be the next Pontiff.

The image received a mixed reception, with one critic calling it “rather offensive for Catholics.” Michael Steele, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee, was among those who critiqued the post, characterizing Trump as “unserious and incapable.”