President Trump releases a meme and the world catches fire. Is it justified?
An old prison may find new life if the president has his way.
And CNN is picking the wrong side again.
Much Ado About Nothing
Overview of the Controversy
President Donald Trump sparked significant controversy after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope on his Truth Social platform, which was subsequently shared by official White House social media accounts124. The incident occurred during a sensitive period for Catholics worldwide, as the Church was mourning the recent death of Pope Francis and preparing for the conclave to elect his successor148.
Details of the Meme and Context
- The Image: The AI-generated meme depicted Trump seated in an ornate chair, wearing traditional papal vestments and headdress, with a stern expression and his right forefinger raised248.
- Timing: The post came just days after Trump attended Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome and publicly joked to reporters, “I’d like to be pope. That would be my No. 1 choice,” before clarifying that he was joking and mentioning Cardinal Timothy Dolan as a possible option246.
- Dissemination: The image first appeared on Trump’s Truth Social account late on May 2 and was later posted by the White House’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, amplifying its reach and impact129.
Reactions and Backlash
Catholic Leaders and Organizations:
- The New York State Catholic Conference, representing bishops in New York, condemned the meme, stating, “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President. We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us”135.
- Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, called the image “deeply offensive to Catholics especially during this sacred time that we are still mourning the death of Pope Francis,” and said Trump “owes an apology”59.
- Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, distanced himself from the image, saying, “I hope he didn’t have anything to do with that. It wasn’t good”39.
Vatican and International Response:
- Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni declined to comment directly on the meme during a press briefing, focusing instead on the upcoming conclave1.
- Italian and Spanish media criticized the image as distasteful and offensive, especially given the ongoing mourning period for Pope Francis8.
Political and Public Reactions:
- Some conservative commentators and Trump supporters dismissed the backlash, framing the meme as a harmless joke or political trolling56.
- Joshua Mercer, vice president of the right-leaning CatholicVote, argued the meme was “obviously intended to be humorous” and not meant to mock the papacy5.
- On social media, the image triggered a wave of memes, jokes, and parodies, while also fueling heated debate about respect for religious symbols and institutions7.
Defense and Official Response
- The White House, through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, denied any intent to ridicule the papacy, highlighting Trump’s attendance at Pope Francis’s funeral and his support for Catholics and religious liberty19.
- Supporters insisted Trump’s comments and the meme were made in jest, pointing to the prevalence of similar memes circulating online after the pope’s death56.
Conclusion
Trump’s AI-generated meme depicting himself as pope has provoked strong backlash from Catholic leaders and many believers, who viewed the image as disrespectful and ill-timed during a period of mourning for Pope Francis13589. While some supporters defended the meme as a joke, the incident has underscored ongoing tensions over the use of religious imagery in political discourse and the boundaries of humor and respect in public life.
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/trump-meme-as-pope-raises-cont-sfkljNJ_TQuIL3C0QH2JSg
This is Blasphemy
- The X post by Oli London announces Adam Lambert as Judas and Cynthia Erivo as Jesus in a Hollywood Bowl production of Jesus Christ Superstar, a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice that reimagines the last days of Jesus through Judas’ perspective, set for August 2025.
- This casting choice stirred controversy on X, with users like @1Uncensored and @phat_doggo2024 criticizing it for historical inaccuracy and perceived provocation, reflecting ongoing debates about representation and “blackwashing” in media, as seen in similar discussions around Netflix’s Cleopatra (2023), which faced backlash for casting a Black actress.
- The production coincides with a tense global religious climate, as web results note Trump’s recent Truth Social post depicting himself as a pope after Pope Francis’ death in April 2025, which drew accusations of mockery from the New York State Catholic Conference, highlighting broader sensitivities around religious portrayals.
https://twitter.com/i/grok/share/7Ko1bZRdQqs8974xDMxayD9lz
Picking the Wrong Side Again
The New York Post highlights CNN’s interview with a Sinaloa Cartel member, who, despite being labeled a terrorist by Trump, expressed respect for him, saying Trump is “looking out for his people” while blaming U.S. drug consumers for the cartel’s activities.
Trump’s administration recently designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization, intensifying U.S.-Mexico efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking, with Mexican authorities increasing arrests and lab busts in Sinaloa state since early 2025.
Social media backlash criticized CNN for seemingly sympathizing with the cartel, with users on X accusing the network of seeking anti-Trump sentiment but instead receiving a response that aligned with Trump’s stance on protecting American interests.
Dumbass of the Day
Why Don’t You Just Build A Prison in the Desert?
President Donald Trump directed federal agencies Sunday to reopen the historic Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay, declaring the long-shuttered facility will once again house “America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders.” The directive, issued via Truth Social, instructs the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security to rebuild and expand the infamous island penitentiary that closed in 196313.
The announcement represents Trump’s latest effort to reshape federal incarceration policies amid ongoing tensions with courts over immigration enforcement and detention practices.
The Presidential Directive
“For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society,” Trump wrote in his Sunday evening post2. The president characterized the reopening as a return to when America “did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm”4.
A Bureau of Prisons spokesperson responded that the agency “will comply with all Presidential Orders” but offered no specifics on implementation timeline, feasibility studies, or budgetary considerations3. The mandate comes as Trump has clashed with judges over attempts to transfer alleged gang members to a prison in El Salvador and detain undocumented immigrants38.
Historical and Logistical Challenges
Alcatraz operated as a federal maximum-security prison from 1934 until 1963, when officials shuttered it due to deteriorating infrastructure and prohibitive operational costs38. The facility required expensive maintenance and all supplies had to be transported by boat4.
Reopening would necessitate substantial investment to modernize the crumbling structure to meet contemporary correctional standards. When the prison closed, officials estimated approximately $5 million in restoration costs-a figure that would be exponentially higher today8.
The island has functioned as a major tourist destination since 1972, when Congress incorporated it into the Golden Gate National Recreation Area under National Park Service management86.
Political Reactions
Critics swiftly condemned the proposal. A spokesperson from California’s Governor’s Office dismissed the announcement as “distraction day again in Washington, D.C.”6
State Senator Scott Wiener, who represents San Francisco, called the plan “absurd,” noting the site “generates significant revenue for the federal government and supports many jobs”6. Wiener characterized the proposal as “part of Trump’s ongoing crusade to sabotage the rule of law” and “a domestic gulag right in the middle of San Francisco Bay”6.
Representatives from the White House, Justice Department, FBI and Homeland Security did not immediately provide details on funding sources, projected costs, or implementation timelines when contacted by reporters3.
https://www.perplexity.ai/discover/top/trump-orders-reopening-of-alca-p1Eu6LTcS_eHB0OEb1DUBA