WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he knew nothing about an artificially generated picture of him dressed because the pope that was posted to his Reality Social account over the weekend.
“I had nothing to do with it. Someone made up an image of me dressed just like the pope they usually put it out on the web. That is not me that did it, I do not know the place it got here from, perhaps it was AI, however I do know nothing about it, I simply noticed it final night,” Trump advised reporters on Could 5 from the Oval Workplace.
The picture that the White House reshared has drawn criticism from Catholics, who’re nonetheless mourning the dying of Pope Francis. Trump attended his funeral final week alongside different world leaders. A papal conclave to pick out a brand new pope is about to start on Could 7.
Extra: A conclave like no other: How papal pick gathering is different this year
Speaking to reporters on Could 5 in regards to the synthetic picture that appeared on his account, Trump introduced up first girl Melania Trump and mentioned, “Really my spouse thought it was cute. She mentioned, ‘Is not that good?'”
“Really, I’d not be capable of be married. although,” he mentioned. “To the very best of my data, pope’s aren’t massive on being married, are they? Not that we all know of.”
U.S. President Donald Trump, first girl Melania Trump, France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse Brigitte Macron stand because the coffin is carried on the day of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Sq. on the Vatican, April 26, 2025. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez SEARCH “POPE FUNERAL PICTURES” FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH “WIDER IMAGE” FOR ALL STORIES.
Trump additionally accused the media of ginning up the controversy as he was questioned about Catholic frustration with the picture throughout a query and reply session on the White Home.
“They cannot take a joke,” Trump advised reporters, referring to the media. “The Catholic’s cherished it.”
As for whether or not it ought to have been shared from the official account of the White Home on social media, Trump mentioned “give me a break” and that “any individual did it in enjoyable, it is wonderful, you need to have somewhat enjoyable, do not you.”
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the NFL Draft within the Oval Workplace of the White Home on Could 05, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Vice President JD Vance, who’s Catholic, additionally framed the image as a joke.
After anti-Trump Republican and Bulwark editor-at-large Invoice Kristol tagged Vance in an X submit that requested “are you wonderful with this disrespect and mocking of the Holy Father,” the vice chairman swatted again.
“As a normal rule, I am wonderful with individuals telling jokes and never wonderful with individuals beginning silly wars that kill 1000’s of my countrymen,” Vance advised Kristol, an advocate of the Iraqi invasion.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says he had ‘nothing to do with’ AI image of him as pope
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