Trump defends himself after backlash over Jesus depiction

US President Donald Trump on Monday defended his posting of an AI-generated image that appeared to depict him as Jesus Christ.

Speaking to the media, the president insisted it was not a religious portrayal but rather an image of himself as a doctor aiding Red Cross workers.

Trump said: "It wasn't a depiction. I did post it and I thought it was me as a doctor. And had to do with Red Cross as a red cross worker, which we support and only the fake news could come up with that one."

The image, shared on Truth Social shortly after Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV as "weak," showed the president in robes with a glowing hand healing a sick man in a hospital bed, surrounded by patriotic symbols including an American eagle, fighter jets and the Statue of Liberty.

The post drew widespread backlash online and from religious figures for what critics called a sacrilegious self-portrayal. 

Trump has frequently used AI-generated images on his social media platforms.