A provocation. Yet another of Donald Trump who after having attacked Pope Leo XIV head-on last Monday, relaunched an image on the Truth social network depicting him embracing Jesus Christ. «The lunatics on the radical left won’t like this, but I find it quite beautiful», commented the president.
The post arrived in the aftermath of the controversy over another illustration, later removed, which portrayed the American president in a white tunic while treating a sick person. The photo, created with artificial intelligence, was posted without any comments. Then taken up by thousands of users on social media, it had unleashed a cascade of indignant reactions, such as that of the former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greenewho broke up with the tycoon last November after supporting him for years. “It is more than blasphemy, it is a spirit of the Antichrist,” Greene wrote on X.
The new image posted on social media follows that of last Monday, generated with AI and then removed, which sparked the indignation of users – including many former Maga supporters – in which Trump is represented in the role of Jesus while treating a sick person surrounded by faithful. Only several hours later, the post disappeared from the account of the US president who later, speaking at a press conference, defined the news as “fake news”: “I am portrayed as a doctor who does good for others,” he told reporters.
JD Vance’s attack
A series of provocations by Trump that go hand in hand with the positions supported by his deputy JD Vance who also attacked Pope Leo first by saying that the Vatican must deal with “moral issues” and then, during the event organized by Turning Point USA at the University of Georgia in Athens, making matters worse and stating that the Pontiff is wrong when he says that the disciples of Christ “I am never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs.”
To explain his thoughts, Vance returned to World War II and compared the current battles in which America is engaged with those of 80 years ago: «Wasn’t God on the side of the Americans who liberated France from the Nazis? Wasn’t God on the side of the Americans who liberated the concentration camps and those innocent people, those people who had survived the Holocaust? I really think so”, he said in a largely empty arena and where there was no shortage of protests from the public present.
US Vice President JD Vance attends an event hosted by Turning Point USA at the Akins Ford Arena at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia
(REUTERS)
According to what was reported by the broadcaster NBCVance then said that he appreciates when the Pontiff intervenes on issues such as abortion, immigration or “issues of war and peace”, admitting, however, that he does not always agree with him: “There are certainly things that the Pope has said in recent months that I do not agree with. Just as the American vice president is cautious on matters of politics, the Pope should also be cautious when talking about theology» added Vance: in his opinion, in fact, «we need to make sure that it is anchored to the truth, and it is one of the things that I try to do, and it is certainly something that I expect from the clergy, both Catholic and Protestant».
According to what was documented in a video by journalist Jake Traylor, the Akins Ford Arena was occupied with less than a quarter of the available seats while Vance spoke on stage. A figure that highlights lower-than-expected participation for an event with a strong political impact.
The intervention was also marked by a direct protest: one participant shouted «Jesus Christ does not support genocide!», referring to the situation in Gaza.
Vance responded by claiming the results of the administration led by Donald Trump, claiming that progress would be made in terms of humanitarian aid and agreements in the region. The protester was then removed.
Also making the context more tense was the absence of the CEO of Turning Point USA, Erika Kirkwho according to the organizers did not participate due to serious threats received. Vance himself admitted that until a few hours before he had feared a possible cancellation of the event.
But what happened in Athens fits into a broader picture, which also concerns the relationship between US politics and the Catholic world. In recent days, in fact, Trump’s attacks on the Pontiff and the Holy See have sparked reactions among the Catholic faithful and also among the MAGA base itself.
A non-secondary aspect, even on an electoral level. Catholics represented a significant component of the consensus that supported Trump: according to data from the 2024 elections, around 55% would have voted for him. A relationship that, however, shows signs of cracking. A poll prior to the last clash with the Pope indicated a drop in consensus to 52%, also in light of the criticism of the migration policies promoted by the former president.
In view of the midterm elections in November, this progressive cooling could have significant political consequences. The Catholic vote, historically not monolithic but often decisive, could represent an important test for the future political balance in the United States.
