Does Trump think he is Jesus? Well, probably not. But does he think he is a Christ-figure? Probably so. Anyway, that is the impression given by the AI-generated picture he posted on his social media account.
In the picture Trump is depicted in Christ-like attire (white and red robe) reaching down and touching the forehead of an ill person with the effect of healing him. The image is one of transcendence.
Trump says he thought the image, created by someone else, was of him as a doctor. In the picture he doesn’t look like a doctor. See for yourself. Very few doctors wear such attire or heal by touching someone’s forehead.
What does this image say about Trump’s self-consciousness, self-understanding?
If you are tempted to defend the image, ask yourself what you would think of any other world leader who posted an identical image of himself, but with his face instead of Trump’s. I betcha every American Christian and most others would think that world leader was trying to create an idea of himself as divine, a heavenly redeemer, a savior, a Messiah, whatever.
As a Christian theologian, I will dare to say that I consider the image blasphemous, hideous, frightening. And I cannot understand why any sincere Christian would disagree.
Then, Vice President J. D. Vance lectured Pope Leo about theology, saying he needs to be careful when talking about theology. I can only laugh at that. While I don’t agree with the pope about everything, I respect him as a theologian, a person trained in the discipline of theology. I don’t respect Vance as such. And I think it is at least impertinent of Vance to suggest that he is a better theologian than the pope! If he disagrees with the pope he should just say that—“I disagree with him.”
Christian Trump supporters tell me that they don’t necessarily like Trump, but they like his policies. I wonder what policies? Abuse of immigrants? War with Iran? Tariffs? One commentator said that the reason American conservative Christians support Trump is that they regard him as their protector. From whom, I wonder? But where is the line over which they will not cross in supporting him? Do they support a blasphemer? Would they support any other blasphemer?
Oh, yes, I suppose some will disagree with my assessment of Trump as a blasphemer. But who is the theologian? They or me? Who has the PhD in Religious Studies from a major American national research university? Who has written over twenty published theology books, some that won awards?
I would gladly withdraw my assessment of Trump as blasphemer if he would repent of posting the image and defending it before withdrawing it. He is said to have withdrawn it from his social media account because someone told him it might be controversial with some of his political base. I don’t consider that repentance.
I can only hope that my fellow Christians at least cringed when they saw the image. And I hope they thought about it and went further and withdrew their support of Trump.
*Note: If you choose to comment, make sure your comment is relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and devoid of pictures or links.*
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In