Trump posts AI image depicting himself as Jesus-like healer, defends it as 'doctor' image at news conference

President Trump held an impromptu White House news conference to promote his 'no tax on tips' policy, featuring a DoorDash delivery of McDonald's. When questioned about an AI-generated image he posted on Truth Social showing himself in a white robe as a Jesus-like figure healing people, Trump claimed he thought it depicted him as 'a doctor' or 'Red Cross worker.' The image, which drew criticism from religious leaders and supporters, was deleted after approximately 13 hours. Vice President Vance later characterized it as a 'joke' that people misunderstood. Trump's explanation contradicted the obvious religious imagery in the post, which showed him in a scene resembling biblical healing.

"Well, it wasn't depiction. It was me. 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 there, which we support, and only the fake news could come up with that one." — Response to a reporter's question about the AI-generated image showing Trump in religious/messianic imagery that he had posted on Truth Social