Franklin Graham ‘Doesn’t Believe’ Trump Knowingly Depicted Himself as Jesus Christ

An AI-generated image reshared by President Donald Trump set off a media frenzy this week, with opponents rushing to claim the commander-in-chief had cast himself in the role of Jesus Christ — a charge both Trump and evangelical leader Reverend Franklin Graham have flatly rejected.

The image at the center of the uproar featured Trump in a white robe accented by a red sash, his hand reaching toward an ailing American. Standing nearby were a nurse and a uniformed military servicemember.

Overhead, an eagle soared alongside fighter aircraft, while the Statue of Liberty and an American flag anchored the patriotic backdrop.

Critics wasted no time drawing a connection to religious iconography, and the backlash spread rapidly across the internet. Trump pulled the post from his account shortly after the criticism escalated.

But the president did not go quietly. Pushing back with characteristic bluntness, Trump laid out exactly what he believed he was looking at when he decided to share the image.