U.S. President Donald Trump has removed an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself from social media after it sparked widespread backlash from religious groups and commentators who described it as offensive and inappropriate.
The image, originally shared on his Truth Social account late Sunday, portrayed Trump in flowing robes with a glowing hand placed on a seemingly ill individual, while other figures appeared to look on in reverence. An American flag was also visible in the background of the scene.
The post was deleted on Monday following growing criticism, including strong reactions from Christian leaders who accused the president of crossing a line with religious symbolism. 
Responding to questions about the image, Trump denied any intent to portray himself as Jesus Christ. “I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do Red Cross,” he told reporters. “It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better. And I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”
However, the explanation did little to calm concerns, as several religious commentators and conservative Christian voices within his political base condemned the post as disrespectful.
Among the critics was journalist Megan Basham, who described the image as “OUTRAGEOUS blasphemy” and called for an immediate apology. She further urged the president to retract the post and seek forgiveness.
The controversy also drew a formal response from the Knights Templar, which publicly condemned the image and demanded an apology, arguing that the depiction disrespected core Christian beliefs.
This is not the first time Trump has faced scrutiny over religious-themed imagery. In previous instances, he has shared or been associated with posts placing him alongside biblical figures or in symbolic religious settings, often drawing mixed reactions from supporters and critics alike.
Some of his close allies have also previously used religious comparisons in describing his political role, further intensifying debates about the intersection of politics, personality, and religious symbolism in his public communications.
The latest incident has reignited discussion over the use of AI-generated imagery in political messaging and the boundaries of religious representation in modern digital campaigning.
