AI Video of Trump as the Next Pope Sparks Global Frenzy
In a stunning twist that has set social media ablaze, an AI-generated video depicting U.S. President Donald Trump as the next pope has gone instantly viral, amassing millions of views within hours of its release on May 3, 2025. The provocative clip, which surfaced on Truth Social and was swiftly reposted by the White House’s official X account, shows Trump adorned in papal vestments, seated solemnly in St. Peter’s Basilica, raising a hand in a papal gesture. The video, layered with dramatic choral music, has ignited a firestorm of reactions, ranging from amusement to outrage, as the Catholic Church prepares for a conclave to elect a new pontiff following Pope Francis’s death on April 21.
The video’s release comes on the heels of Trump’s earlier jests about wanting to be pope, made days after attending Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome. “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice,” Trump quipped to reporters, before endorsing New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan as a contender. The AI video, however, takes the joke to new heights, blending hyper-realistic visuals with a tongue-in-cheek narrative that has both entertained and offended. Supporters, including Senator Lindsey Graham, leaned into the humor, with Graham posting on X, “Pope Trump? Keep an open mind, conclave!” Meanwhile, critics, including the New York State Catholic Conference, condemned the video as “disrespectful” and “blasphemous,” citing the ongoing mourning period for Pope Francis.
Social media platforms have erupted with polarized reactions. Pro-Trump accounts, like The MAGA Voice, hailed the video as “iconic,” proclaiming, “Donald Trump would be the greatest pope ever!” Conversely, detractors, such as former RNC chairman Michael Steele, slammed it as evidence of Trump’s “unserious” leadership, calling it “childish” during a time of solemnity. Italian media, including La Repubblica, labeled the stunt as “pathological megalomania,” while former Italian Premier Matteo Renzi called it an insult to Catholic believers.
The video marks another chapter in Trump’s history of leveraging AI-generated content for attention, following previous posts like an AI video of a resort-like Gaza Strip. As the Vatican gears up for the May 7 conclave, the controversy underscores the growing power of AI to shape narratives and provoke global discourse. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the video, stating, “President Trump respects the Catholic faith and attended Pope Francis’s funeral to honor him.” Yet, with the conclave looming, the viral video has ensured that “Pope Trump” remains a polarizing topic, blending humor, technology, and religion in a way only the digital age could amplify.
