In a lighthearted yet pointed exchange, popular podcaster Joe Rogan quipped that an "AI God" was responsible for creating President Donald Trump's now-deleted meme that portrayed him as a Jesus-like figure. The controversial image, which Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, has drawn significant backlash and ridicule from various quarters.
Rogan's Humorous Take on the Viral Meme
During Tuesday's episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience," Rogan, often known as a Trump ally, made the joke while discussing artificial intelligence with his guest Andy Stumpf, a retired Navy SEAL. With a grin, Rogan stated, "AI God has to come alive and take over the system. AI God—the one that created that Jesus meme that Trump just posted." This remark highlighted the absurdity of the situation, blending technology and politics in a comedic context.
Stumpf's Sarcastic Response to Trump's Explanation
Stumpf then poked fun at Trump's subsequent claim that the condemned image depicted him as a doctor rather than Jesus Christ. In the AI-generated picture, Trump appeared in a white robe with glowing hands, seemingly healing a sick man. "Joe, I told you. He explained it. He was a doctor," Stumpf sarcastically replied, prompting laughter from Rogan. Rogan added, "That's what they call them. That's what AI God calls Jesus. Jesus is a doctor," further mocking the president's attempt to reframe the meme.
Trump's Attempt to Gaslight Reporters
On Monday, Trump tried to gaslight reporters about the image during a White House briefing, insisting it showed him "as a doctor" and not as Jesus Christ. He told reporters, "I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor," referring to the image shared on his account on Orthodox Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. Trump added, "Only the fake news could come up with that one. I said, how did they come up with that? It's supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better, and I do make people better. I do make people a lot better."
Continued Controversy with Another Jesus-Related Meme
Despite facing criticism, including from some of his own supporters, Trump doubled down on Wednesday by posting another Jesus-related meme to Truth Social. The image, originally shared by an X user, featured a rendition of the president being embraced by Jesus. Trump captioned the post, "The Radical Left Lunatics might not like this, but I think it is quite nice!!!" This move further fueled the ongoing debate about the appropriateness and intent behind such posts.
The episode underscores how AI-generated content is increasingly intersecting with political discourse, creating moments of both humor and contention. Rogan's comments, while humorous, reflect broader questions about the role of technology in shaping public perception and the challenges leaders face in managing their online personas.
