Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, delivered a sharp rebuke on Wednesday against former President Donald Trump for his recent social media attacks on Pope Leo XIV and the sharing of an artificial intelligence-generated image that portrayed Trump in a Christ-like manner. Beshear labeled Trump a habitual liar and criticized his excuse for posting the controversial image as dubious and unconvincing.
Beshear's Appearance on MSNBC
During an interview on MSNBC's "The Briefing with Jen Psaki," Governor Beshear addressed the fallout from Trump's Sunday posts, where the former president disparaged Pope Leo XIV as "WEAK on Crime" amid the pontiff's urgent calls for peace in the Iran war. This criticism sparked widespread backlash, with Beshear noting that even staunch Trump supporters are upset by the confrontation with the pope.
Impact on Trump Supporters
"I will tell you, this fight with the pope and especially that picture have upset a lot of people I know who are strong Trump supporters, because yes, being a Republican has become part of their identity," Beshear explained to Psaki. "Supporting Trump has become part of their identity." He emphasized that Trump is now demanding loyalty above faith, forcing supporters to choose sides in a conflict with the head of their church.
Beshear continued, "But now he is saying, you have to put him above your faith, that if he gets in a fight with the pontiff, the head of your church, that you still better side with him. And look at some of the cowards that are out there doing it, and just the craziness of all this."
Republican Responses and Just War Theory
Vice President JD Vance added to the controversy on Tuesday by urging the pope "to be careful" when discussing "matters of theology," which is a core aspect of the pontiff's role. Both Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, have condemned the pope's peace appeals by invoking the just war theory, further polarizing the political and religious discourse.
Trump's AI Image and Poor Excuse
Following his initial rant, Trump shared an AI-generated image depicting him robed and placing a glowing hand on a suffering elderly man, which many interpreted as a Christ-like portrayal. After deleting the image, Trump claimed he thought it showed him as a doctor, an excuse that Beshear firmly rejected on Wednesday.
"First, he admitted he posted it, but then he said, 'I thought that I was being depicted as a doctor,'" Beshear stated. "Well, listen, if I was ever in an operating room and somebody walked in in Jesus robes with orbs in his hand, I would've thought that it did not go well for me that day."
Accusations of Lying and GOP Loyalty
Beshear went on to assert that Trump is willing "to look at the American people and lie and lie and lie," describing this behavior as "not Christian, either." He also placed blame on Republican loyalists, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, for enabling Trump's actions despite past insults.
"There are no politics in this," said Beshear. "Donald Trump is doing whatever he wants, whenever he wants, and he will insult or attack anyone. I mean, look at Marco Rubio, calling him 'Little Marco.' Apparently Marco Rubio has forgotten that."
He added, "Look at Ted Cruz standing up for him at different times when he attacked his wife and suggested his dad was in the JFK assassination. And now this. I mean, Donald Trump puts himself above everyone, including the pope and, in his mind, probably God."
