Timing Draws Criticism
However, the post, just before the May 7 conclave, angered Catholic leaders. For instance, Cardinal Timothy Dolan said, “It’s disrespectful,” per NPR. Furthermore, Trump’s earlier quip, “I’d like to be Pope,” fueled tensions, per The Guardian. Thus, the image seemed provocative.
Additionally, the New York State Catholic Conference condemned it as “offensive,” per CNN. Moreover, Italian media called Trump’s act “megalomaniacal,” per La Repubblica. However, the Vatican, focused on mourning, offered no comment, per CBS News. Therefore, criticism grew rapidly.
ds Humor
Nevertheless, Trump’s allies rallied to his defense. Specifically, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “It’s light-hearted,” per Fox News. Moreover, JD Vance added, “Trump respects Catholics,” citing his funeral attendance, per POLITICO. Thus, supporters saw it as trolling liberals.
Subsequently, on May 4, 2025, Trump posted an AI-generated Jedi image for Star Wars Day. Specifically, he wielded a lightsaber, captioned, “America’s Force is strong!” Moreover, the White House X account shared it, per TIME. Consequently, it delighted fans.
However, detractors like Michael Steele labeled it “unserious,” per CBS News. Conversely, supporters praised Trump’s humor, noting, “He owns the narrative,” per Newsmax. Furthermore, the post aligned with his provocative style. Therefore, it gained traction online.
