Trump Deletes Controversial Image After Backlash, Then Doubles Down With a Second Image

April 15, 2026

An outdated, and somewhat embarrassing, photograph of President Donald Trump has reemerged at the worst possible moment, just as he doubles down and brushes off outrage from his own followers over a sequence of controversial religious posts.

The latest firestorm erupted after Trump shared a new image tied to a viral post from an X account titled “Irish for Trump,” which depicted him in nearly divine terms, being embraced by Jesus, implying that “God might be playing his Trump card” amid global upheaval.

President Donald Trump loses his composure after being startled by a bald eagle during a clip that has since gone viral. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Rather than distancing himself, Trump amplified the moment by posting a screenshot to Truth Social and writing, “The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!! President DJT.”

That move came on the heels of a furious backlash.

Trump Shrugs It All Off in Public — Unaware That Those Around Him Have Been Harboring Something Petty That Is Finally Slipping Out and Reflecting Back on Him

Earlier in the week, on Orthodox Easter, Trump shared an AI-generated image portraying him as a Jesus-like figure, descending from the heavens in flowing robes, holding a radiant glow, and appearing to heal a sick man in a hospital bed. The portrayal stunned even some of his most faithful Christian supporters, who denounced it as blasphemous.

Prominent conservative voices did not hold back in commenting on the new image on Wednesday. Christian journalist Megan Basham labeled the image “OUTRAGEOUS blasphemy,” while Cam Higby, a commentator who says he spends “8 hours a day” defending Trump, drew a firm line, declaring he would not defend blasphemy.

Despite that unusual internal dissent, Trump has shown little inclination to back down. Although he eventually deleted the initial AI image, he dismissed the controversy when questioned by reporters, saying, “I thought it was me as a doctor… only the fake news could come up with that,” before adding, “I make people better.”

The controversy did not arise in a vacuum. Just before these posts, Trump had leveled an attack on Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, labeling him “weak on crime” and too liberal, which sparked outrage among Catholic observers and added another layer to what critics described as an unforced error.

The new post, featuring Trump alongside Jesus, has drawn warm responses from his base on Truth Social. Many users quote the Bible and refer to Trump as a savior of the nation.

Now, as Trump brushes off criticism—even from his own supporters—an older moment is resurfacing and taking on new significance.

Back in November, during a White House event with pharmaceutical executives, a guest suddenly collapsed. While others rushed to assist, including Mehmet Oz, Trump remained seated behind his desk, visibly disengaged as aides and attendees dealt with the emergency.

At the time, the incident raised eyebrows. Now, juxtaposed with Trump’s self-styled portrayal as a healing, Christ-like figure, it is circulating again with a sharper edge.

Social media users are drawing a stark contrast. The man who stood still during a real medical emergency is now circulating images of himself allegedly curing the sick.

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“Not a shred of empathy,” one user wrote. “He’s annoyed the moment wasn’t about him.”

The patient, according to the White House, recovered fully. But the image, and what it seems to imply, has taken on a life of its own.

And this time, it is clashing directly with Trump’s own messaging in a way that even some of his most steadfast supporters are finding hard to ignore.

Danielle Brooks

I am a staff writer at New York Beacon, where I focus on culture, entrepreneurship, and the emerging voices redefining Black America. My work highlights innovators, artists, and founders whose stories often unfold beyond mainstream headlines but shape communities in meaningful ways. Through precise reporting and thoughtful storytelling, I aim to document progress, challenge narratives, and contribute to a stronger Black press tradition.