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President Trump faced backlash after sharing an AI-generated meme depicting himself as the pope, but he dismissed critics as “fake news media” and defended the image as a harmless joke. The meme surfaced days after Pope Francis’ death, showing Trump in papal vestments during the Vatican’s conclave to elect a new pontiff. Catholic leaders called the image “disrespectful” and demanded an apology, accusing Trump of mocking sacred traditions.
Trump fired back, insisting he had nothing to do with creating the meme and claiming “real Catholics” found it entertaining. He blamed liberal media outlets for stirring controversy, saying, “They can’t take a joke.” The White House reposted the image, calling it a lighthearted meme during a tense political climate.
Conservative commentators rallied behind Trump, arguing the outrage was exaggerated to paint him as anti-religious. Ben Shapiro praised the meme as “legitimately funny,” while others noted liberals frequently mock Christian symbols without similar backlash. Critics accused the left of hypocrisy for condemning Trump’s humor while ignoring attacks on conservative values.
Trump doubled down, questioning why the media fixated on a joke while ignoring issues like border security and inflation. His supporters cheered the meme as a bold rejection of political correctness, framing it as a rallying cry against censorship. The incident highlighted America’s cultural divide, with conservatives viewing it as free speech under attack.
Catholic leaders warned against trivializing faith, but Trump’s base saw the backlash as proof of elitist disdain for everyday Americans. The meme’s virality reinforced Trump’s image as a fighter unafraid to challenge establishment norms. As the conclave continues, Trump’s team continues leaning into controversy, betting voters prefer authenticity over sanitized diplomacy.
