In a bold move that’s equal parts satire and savvy political theater, President Donald J. Trump ignited a media firestorm Friday by posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope—just days before the Catholic Church’s high-stakes conclave to elect a new pontiff.
The post, which appeared on Trump’s Truth Social account, shows the 45th and 47th President of the United States donning the papal white cassock, golden stole, and a beaming smile beneath the iconic papal tiara. The caption? A classic Trumpism: “I’d make a GREAT Pope—America’s Pope! But seriously, Cardinal Dolan would be FANTASTIC.”
Trump’s satirical “papal bid” comes just days after he returned from the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away at 88. Now, as Catholic cardinals prepare to gather in Rome for the conclave on May 7, Trump’s AI post is reigniting discussion—not just about his humor, but about his political instincts and rapport with religious conservatives.
‘A Joke, but Not Without Meaning’
While some on the left labeled the post “offensive” and “immature,” many on the right saw it differently—either as classic Trump trolling or as a symbolic gesture about faith and leadership.
“He’s clearly joking, but the message is deeper than people realize,” said conservative columnist Bryan Dean Wright. “The Pope is a global leader. Trump’s reminding people that moral leadership doesn’t have to come from Europe.”
One of the first to respond was Dustan Grage, a columnist at Townhall, who shrugged off left-wing outrage.
“Most of the people freaking out over this are atheists who haven’t stepped foot in a church in decades,” Grage wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The Pope meme is hilarious—lighten up.”
But liberal influencers didn’t find it funny. Democratic activist Harry Sisson called Trump a “man-child” and said, “This is why MAGA can’t be taken seriously. Imagine thinking this is presidential behavior.”
Trump just posted an AI image of himself as the Pope. Instead of working to bring down costs, he’s doing this instead.
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) May 3, 2025
Nice job, MAGA! You elected a man-child. pic.twitter.com/iXQz41AcDq
Trump Floats Cardinal Dolan as Top Pick
Though clearly a joke, Trump’s post wasn’t without substance. When asked earlier this week about the future of the Vatican, Trump surprised reporters by naming a real candidate: Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York.
“If I had to choose, Dolan would be my number one pick,” Trump said. “He’s strong. He’s a leader. And he loves America—what’s not to like?”
Cardinal Dolan, a staunch traditionalist with broad appeal among U.S. Catholics, has long maintained cordial ties with Trump. The two have met multiple times over the years, particularly during Trump’s first term, when faith-based outreach was a cornerstone of his administration.
Dolan himself has remained tight-lipped about his prospects, though in a recent interview with Fox News’ Martha MacCallum, he shared a quote from a past papal election that underscored the spiritual weight of the conclave.
“The Holy Spirit has already chosen the next pope,” Dolan said. “Your job is to find out who it is.”
A Conclave Like No Other
The upcoming conclave promises to be one of the most unpredictable in modern Catholic history. With Pope Francis’ sudden passing and internal divisions within the Church, speculation is mounting over who will emerge as the next leader of 1.3 billion Catholics.
In addition to Dolan, other front-runners include Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State; Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines; and the American-born Cardinal Raymond Burke, a favorite among traditionalist Catholics.
Political analyst Liz Peek says Trump’s viral post isn’t just about humor—it’s a reminder of how Trump dominates every conversation, even ones happening thousands of miles away.
“He knows how to own the moment,” Peek said. “Whether it’s the Vatican or Wall Street, Trump finds a way to inject himself into the global spotlight—and his base eats it up.”
And indeed, they do. Within hours of the AI post going live, thousands of supporters had reshared the image, calling him “Pope Don I” and posting memes comparing Trump’s fictional papacy to his real-world campaign to “save Western civilization.”
Whether Trump ever dons holy robes for real or not, one thing is certain: the man knows how to command the stage—on Earth or in heaven.
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My goodness, can’t Awesome President Trump make a joke!!!
This is utterly disgraceful
KI G TRUMP AKA HITLER DOES NIT BELIEVE IN GOD. HE WANTS TO RULE THE EARTH, ONLY FOR THE RICH.