Pope Trump?

From Rochester to Rome, President Trump rocked the boat on May 2, 2025 when he posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope on Truth Social, a move that sent the outrage machine into overdrive. The meme, reposted by the White House's official X account, came days after Trump jokingly told reporters on April 29, 2025, "I'd like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice," when asked about the upcoming papal conclave following Pope Francis' death on April 21. The image—Trump in a white cassock, mitre, and crucifix, pointing skyward—was pure satire, a classic Trump troll. Yet, the reaction from the left, particularly non-Catholics and self-professed atheists, exposed a hypocrisy so blatant it's almost comedic.

Let's unpack this. The same left that champions abortion rights—often clashing with the Catholic Church's pro-life stance—suddenly morphed into defenders of the Vatican's honor. Critics like New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a vocal abortion advocate, called the meme "deeply offensive" to Catholics. This from a governor who celebrated New York's 2024 amendment embedding "reproductive rights" in the state constitution. The irony is staggering: a pro-abortion Democrat losing their minds over a meme while dismissing the Church's core teachings. It's as if the left's moral compass only activates when Trump is involved.

Trump's meme was a predictable jab, perfectly timed to provoke. His April 29 quip was a lighthearted deflection, followed by a nod to New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan as a "very good" candidate. The meme itself offered comedic relief amid the somber period following Pope Francis' funeral, attended by Trump and other world leaders. Pope Francis, hailed by progressives for his stances on same-sex blessings, mass migration, and climate change, was no stranger to controversy. Traditionalist Catholics often branded him a heretic for veering too political, accusing him of diluting doctrine. Trump's meme, in a way, poked at this divide, highlighting the absurdity of sanctifying a figure criticized by many within the Church itself.

Now, consider the left's track record on faith. Former President Barack Obama infamously dismissed religious Americans as "bitter" people "clinging to guns or religion" in 2008. In 2019, then-candidate Pete Buttigieg suggested that Christians who supported Trump were "hypocrites," ignoring the complexity of voter priorities. More recently, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer sparked backlash in 2024 for a video mocking the Eucharist, yet the left shrugged it off. These examples reveal a pattern: the left sneers at people of faith, particularly Christians, unless it suits their narrative to play the piety card.

The selective outrage is maddening. The left frequently paints the Catholic Church as a patriarchal relic riddled with pedophilia scandals—and unfortunately, there have been several incidents throughout history—yet the same left rushes to the Church's defense when Trump posts a meme. This isn't about principle; it's about scoring points. The same critics who cheered France's mockery of the Last Supper at the 2024 Paris Olympics now feign horror at Trump's "blasphemy." It's a masterclass in inconsistency, driven by what many call Trump Derangement Syndrome—a knee-jerk rage that blinds them to their own contradictions.

Trump's trolling isn't new. On May 4, 2025, he posted a Star Wars-themed meme of himself as a Jedi, lightsaber in hand, with American flags and eagles in the background, riffing on "May the Fourth Be With You." Will the left now cry sacrilege against Jediism? The absurdity speaks for itself. Trump's brand thrives on pushing buttons, and this Pope meme was no exception.

Religion has always been a lightning rod. Extremism in its name has caused harm worldwide, from historical crusades to modern conflicts. Yet, the left fixates on low-hanging fruit like a meme, ignoring larger issues. If only they mustered this outrage for abortion, human trafficking, or the transitioning of children—issues they often champion or downplay. For those offended by the meme, your feelings are valid. If I were advising Trump, I'd have suggested skipping it, given the sensitive timing. But the left's sanctimonious meltdown is disproportionate, especially from those who've done worse than post a satirical image.

The irony is rich: the radical left, always out for blood, picks a fight over a meme while ignoring their own contradictions. They defend a Church they've long criticized, not out of principle but to dunk on Trump. Looking forward, we can hope the next Pope returns to traditional values, leading with clarity and conviction in a modern world. Will the left still defend the Vatican then, or will their outrage vanish when it no longer serves their narrative?