President Donald Trump deleted a controversial Christ-like social media post this week that had sparked outrage — even among his own base.
Trump posted an AI-generated image that appeared to portray him as Jesus Christ healing a sick man on Truth Social on April 12, and deleted it on April 13 amid opposition from many Christian conservatives, USA TODAY reported.
In remarks at an April 13 White House event, Trump defended his use of the image, saying he didn’t intend to portray himself as Jesus Christ.
“I did post it and I thought it was me as as a doctor,” the president told reporters during the White House event, adding: “It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better, and I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”
Trump has posted a variety of controversial AI-generated images and videos on his social media platforms in recent years, often tied to current events or public figures he opposes.
Here’s what to know about Trump’s use of AI content in social media posts.
Did Trump posted and delete an AI-generated Jesus image?
Yes, President Donald Trump deleted from his Truth Social account Monday, April 13, an AI-generated image he posted April 12 that appeared to depict him as Jesus Christ following criticism, including from Christian conservatives, USA TODAY reported.
The post displays Trump dressed in white with a red robe placing his hand over a sick man’s head as a bright light shines from Trump’s other hand while people look on, including a nurse, soldier, and a woman in prayer. The background features the U.S. flag, bald eagles, military planes, the Statue of Liberty, fireworks, Washington, D.C., monuments, and figures in the sky with light coming from behind them.
What did Trump say about the AI-generated image?
Trump later said the image was being misconstrued, and that he was depicted as a doctor, not Jesus.
“I did post it and I thought it was me as as a doctor,” the president told reporters during an April 13 White House event, adding: “It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better, and I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”
Has Trump posted AI-generated photos before?
Yes, Trump has frequently posted AI-generated images and videos to his social media platforms in recent years, including images and video mocking opponents or depicting himself as the Pope.
Here are a few Trump shared to his Truth Social and Instagram accounts.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump deletes Christ-like AI image. It’s not first time he’s used AI
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
