President Donald Trump is facing a growing backlash over a series of religion-themed social media posts and statements that many Americans view as offensive or inappropriate. A new The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found overwhelming disapproval of a now-deleted AI-generated image Trump shared in April depicting himself in Christ-like imagery, while separate comments aimed at Pope Leo XIV and the president’s rhetoric surrounding the Iran war drew further criticism. In addition, the poll also found significant disapproval of a comment made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Trump’s AI image sparks bipartisan backlash
President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social showing himself in white and red robes, touching a man’s forehead while light appeared to radiate from his hand. By: Truth Social/@realDonaldTrump

The controversy began on April 12 when Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social showing himself in white and red robes, touching a man’s forehead while light appeared to radiate from his hand. An American flag and an eagle were visible in the background, leading critics to accuse the president of portraying himself as a messianic figure. The image triggered immediate backlash online and was removed from Trump’s account the following day. Speaking to reporters at the White House on April 13, Trump dismissed the criticism. “I thought it was me as a doctor. And it had to do with Red Cross,” Trump said. “And only the fake news could come up with that one. … I make  people a lot better.”

According to the Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll conducted between April 24 and April 28, 87% of Americans reacted negatively to the image, including 69% who said they had a “strongly negative” reaction to it. The poll also found that 80% of Trump voters and 79% of Republicans viewed the post negatively.

Trump’s clash with Pope Leo XIV
President Donald Trump also drew backlash after he criticized Pope Leo XIV on Truth Social. By: MEGA

Trump also drew backlash after he criticized Pope Leo XIV on Truth Social shortly before posting the AI image. Trump described the pope as “weak on crime” and “weak on nuclear weapons” after the pontiff criticized the Iran war. Pope Leo responded by saying he had “no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel.”

Trump intensified the controversy on April 15 by sharing another AI-generated image that showed Jesus embracing him. “The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!! President DJT,” Trump wrote. The caption of the post itself read, “I was never a very religious man … but doesn’t it seem, with all these satanic, demonic, child sacrificing monsters being exposed … that God might be playing his Trump card!”

Pete Hegseth’s comment draws scrutiny
The same poll also showed strong public opposition to remarks made by Pete Hegseth. By: MEGA

The same poll also showed strong public opposition to remarks made by Hegseth. According to the survey, 69% of Americans disapproved of the defense secretary praying for U.S. troops to inflict “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”

Trump’s April 7 Truth Social warning about Iran also drew criticism. In the post, he warned that if Iran refused to negotiate with the U.S., “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” The poll found that 76% of Americans disapproved of the message.

Republican dissatisfaction with Trump at its highest level
President Donald Trump’s broader political standing continues to take a hit. By: MEGA

The religious controversies come as Trump’s broader political standing continues to take a hit. A recent Issues & Insights/TIPP poll found Republican dissatisfaction with Trump at its highest level yet. While 75% of Republicans still view the president favorably, 18% expressed an unfavorable opinion, the highest figure recorded by the pollster this year. The numbers mark a gradual increase from January and March, when Republican disapproval stood at 13%, and February, when it reached 17%. Overall, Trump’s favorability stands at 38%, with 54% viewing him unfavorably, resulting in a net approval rating of -16.