Donald Trump’s support base is fracturing following backlash over an image he shared depicting himself as Jesus Christ, a move that has drawn widespread criticism. The controversial post on TruthSocial shows Trump portrayed as a religious figure healing a sick person, surrounded by adoring followers, sparking outrage among Christians and others.

This incident is not the first time Trump has flirted with depicting himself in a religious context, having previously shared a picture of himself as a pontiff after the passing of Pope Francis. The recent post also coincided with Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo, whom he described as a “very liberal person.”

Critics, including Conservative Daily Wire contributor Michael Knowles and podcaster pastor Alex Stone, condemned the post as blasphemous and urged Trump to remove it. Gateway Pundit podcaster Victor Nieves emphasized that trolling should not excuse blasphemy and warned of potential consequences on judgment day for those defending such actions.

The controversy surrounding Trump’s post has highlighted divisions within the online MAGA movement, with some attributing the decline in support to his handling of the Epstein Files and the ongoing stalemate in the Middle East. Despite winning a second term in 2024 with initially high approval ratings, Trump’s popularity has waned, with 54 percent disapproving of his second tenure as of April.

While some of Trump’s supporters downplayed or justified the post, others, like Jack Posobiec and Gunther Eagleman, expressed mixed reactions. Posobiec, known for his support of Trump, sarcastically commented on Twitter about the uproar caused by the meme, while Eagleman praised the image shared on TruthSocial, depicting Trump in a red robe surrounded by American symbols and portraying him as a healer.

The fallout from this divisive post underscores the challenges facing Trump and his supporters as they navigate the complexities of online discourse and political messaging.