Claim:
Former U.S. President Donald Trump posted an image of himself dressed as the Pope on Truth Social following the death of Pope Francis.
Rating: True (AI-generated image posted by Trump)
What Happened?
On Friday night, Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed in papal garments, resembling the Pope, on his social media platform Truth Social. The post came shortly after the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, which had triggered a global mourning period among Catholics.
The image was shared without a caption or explanation, sparking a wave of reactions online—some praising the move as humorous trolling, while others criticized it as inappropriate and disrespectful. The Context
Pope Francis passed away from complications following a stroke, leading to a historic funeral at St. Peter’s Square. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were reportedly among the dignitaries in attendance.
Trump had earlier joked about becoming Pope when asked about Francis’ successor. He remarked, “I’d like to be pope… That would be my number one choice.”
Online Reactions
The AI image went viral, drawing sharp reactions:
- Supporters found the post humorous and bold, praising Trump’s “trolling.”
- Critics called it disrespectful and delusional, especially given the religious and emotional timing.
- Political figures like Sen. Lindsey Graham sarcastically endorsed the idea, while anti-Trump accounts labeled it “lunacy.”
Fact-Check Verification
- The image is digitally altered and AI-generated, not real.
- Trump did post it on his official Truth Social account.
- The post remains public and is verified through multiple screenshots and reports.
What’s Next?
The papal conclave to select Pope Francis’ successor is set to begin Wednesday. While Trump’s post has no bearing on the Vatican’s process, it adds a controversial political twist to a deeply sacred moment for the Catholic community.