Trump Faces Widespread Condemnation After Blasting Pope Leo XIV in Fiery Social Media Post
Former President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm of criticism following a scathing attack on Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, in a lengthy Truth Social rant on Sunday night. In a post exceeding 300 words, Trump lambasted the pope as "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy," sparking outrage from political and religious commentators alike.
Trump's Grievances and Claims of Influence
Trump elaborated on his grievances, stating, "I don't want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I'm doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History." He further asserted that the College of Cardinals elected the Chicago-born pope last year specifically to manage relations with him, claiming, "they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump."
Later that evening, while speaking with reporters at Joint Base Andrews upon returning from Miami, Trump doubled down on his criticism. He remarked, "I don't think he's doing a very good job. He likes crime, I guess," and labeled the pontiff "a very liberal person" and "a man that doesn't believe in stopping crime." Trump concluded, "I'm not a fan of Pope Leo," reinforcing his hostile stance.
Pope's Peace Advocacy and Trump's Apparent Trigger
The attack came in response to Pope Leo XIV's repeated calls for peace during the ongoing war with Iran, including a recent appeal on Saturday. According to The Associated Press, the pope urged during an evening prayer service, "Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!" While not naming Trump directly, the pope's remarks on the "delusion of omnipotence" as a threat to global stability seemingly provoked the former president.
Backlash from Critics on Social Media
Trump's comments drew swift and severe backlash on social media platform X, with critics condemning his tone and content:
- James Martin, SJ: "I doubt Pope Leo XIV will lose any sleep over this... But the rest of us should. Because it is unhinged, uncharitable and unchristian. Is there no bottom to this moral squalor?"
- Rep. Melanie Stansbury: "This man is not well."
- Governor Newsom Press Office: "Hey @GOP, you good with your guy directly attacking the Pope now?... if anyone over there still has a spine, this is an easy one!"
- Fred Wellman: "Absolutely insane."
- Justin Amash: "The bottom line is that Trump doesn't want a Christian pope. He wants a pope that idolizes and worships Donald Trump."
- Christopher Hale: "Americans stand with Pope Leo XIV."
- MeidasTouch: "Deranged."
- Wu Tang is for the Children: "Unhinged....absolutely insane."
- Chris Vance: "I try and focus on policy... but as a Catholic I can't stay silent. This must be condemned by every Catholic, every Christian, indeed by everyone who follows any faith. Trump is an abomination."
- Hemant Mehta: "Conservative Catholics said Joe Biden was a bad Catholic because he was liberal on abortion. They won't say a damn thing about this."
- Rick Wilson: "This will end well. Some genius in Trumpland decided, 'Hey, the best thing we can do now is to go to war with the Holy Father.'"
- Sohrab Ahmari: "Demented. In its claims, and in the tone it strikes toward the Vicar of Christ, the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion."
- Peter Schorsch: "POTUS arguing about having the 'greatest stock market' versus a Pope and wondering why Republicans are on path for the worst midterms ever..."
- evan loves worf: "Reminder this is because the pope said war is bad and we should help poor people."
- Ahmed Baba: "Ah yes, the Pope. The known vigilante crime fighter and nuclear weapons dismantler. He's not doing his job."
- Robert Kearney: "Trump doesn't realize what an absolute shitstorm he's unleashing by acting so unhinged toward the Pope... a lot of us are going..."
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and religious leaders, with critics accusing him of undermining Christian values and engaging in divisive rhetoric. As the controversy unfolds, it raises questions about the intersection of politics and faith in contemporary discourse.
