Trump posted and deleted an AI image appearing to depict himself as Jesus Christ, then offered explanations amid religious backlash
President Trump posted an AI-generated image on social media that appeared to show him as Jesus Christ, then deleted it after widespread criticism from religious leaders and others. Trump later offered public explanations for the post and announced plans to read Bible verses from the Oval Office. The incident also coincided with tensions between Trump and Pope Francis.
64
Divergence score
This event sits in the top 1% of divergence this week. 10 outlets covered it, splitting into 10 framing camps across 3 bias groups.
10 camps
3 bias groups
The spectrum · how 10 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
HuffPost
CNN
The Hill
Breitbart
Washington Post
New York Times
Washington Examiner
ABC News
Daily Wire
Politico
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
Widest split · the two outlets furthest apart, and who published first
Furthest apart on this story
HuffPost
Tucker Carlson Torches Trump For Trying To Explain His Way Out Of Jesus AI image
criticism of Trump's explanations
Breitbart
Franklin Graham: 'I Do Not Believe President Trump Would Knowingly Depict Himself as Jesus Christ'
evangelical defense of Trump
First to report
- Daily Wirefirst
- New York Times+36 min
- Washington Post+7.0 h
- Breitbart+70.6 h
- ABC News+75.5 h
- HuffPost+79.4 h
- Washington Examiner+87.9 h
- The Hill+90.7 h
- Politico+103.2 h
- CNN+130.3 h
By each outlet's earliest publish time in this story. Feeds that index slowly can appear later than they printed.
The split, in one line
Conservative outlets focus on defending Trump's intentions and citing supportive religious figures. Liberal outlets emphasize blasphemy and backlash. Mainstream sources report the damage control efforts neutrally.
How each outlet covered it
Three ways of telling it
The center isn't splitting the difference here: it's making its own case, alongside the flanks.
Divergence64
THE RIGHT
“Franklin Graham: 'I Do Not Believe President Trump Would Knowingly Depict Himself as Jesus Christ'”B Breitbart RIGHT
+Hide the full sourcingSee how all 10 outlets put it
LEFT4
HPHuffPost Tucker Carlson Torches Trump For Trying To Explain His Way Out Of Jesus AI image 147d ago CNNCNN Trump to read Bible verse from Oval Office after feud with Pope and deleted AI image - CNN 145d ago WPWashington Post Trump post appearing to depict him as Jesus removed amid backlash - The Washington Post 150d ago TNew York Times Trump Posted a Picture of Himself as Jesus. Now He's Trying to Explain It Away. - The New York Times 151d ago CENTER2
HThe Hill No, President Trump: 'The Catholics' do not love this. 147d ago PPolitico Trump to release reading of scripture days after angering many Christians - Politico 146d ago RIGHT3
BBreitbart Franklin Graham: 'I Do Not Believe President Trump Would Knowingly Depict Himself as Jesus Christ' 148d ago WEWashington Examiner The spiritual sickness behind Trump's blasphemous Jesus post 147d ago DWDaily Wire Trump Offers First Public Explanation Of Jesus Post - dailywire.com 151d ago 7 tracked claims across 10 outlets
Fact ledger
All7Disputed1Claimed1Corroborated5
2/10
Disputed
The post was intentional blasphemy or a depiction of Trump as Jesus.
Corroborated
Disputed
6 more tracked claimsSign up free to see the full ledger