Donald Trump’s nocturnal outbursts on social media have become well-known, but his activity last Sunday reached an unusual level of intensity. Until the early hours of Monday, specifically 4 a.m., the U.S. president was actively posting on his Truth Social platform. Amidst messages regarding his new ballroom and critiques of Joe Biden, Trump launched an unexpected tirade against Pope Leo, who serves as the spiritual leader for 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
The president’s ire appeared to be fueled by the Pope’s remarks concerning his military actions in Iran, as he labeled the pontiff as ineffective on crime and poor in foreign affairs. Less than an hour later, Trump shared an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus, radiating a celestial light.
The reaction from his most ardent supporters, including both Catholic and evangelical communities, was immediate and harsh. Nevertheless, Trump’s conflict with the Pope has persisted throughout the week.
Investigative journalist Sarah Posner discussed the significance of these voter groups for Trump in an interview with Annie Kelly. She remarked, “Trump would not have secured the Republican nomination in 2016, nor would he have achieved the presidency in either 2016 or 2024, without the backing of white evangelical voters. For many years, the Christian right, along with some Catholic and mainline Protestant allies, has served as a crucial voting bloc for Republican candidates.”
Despite the current backlash, it is likely that Trump has not permanently alienated his right-wing evangelical base. Posner added, “They often believe that God selects unexpected individuals to guide a nation during pivotal moments. I think it will take time for them to reconsider their support for him or to fully abandon him.”
