Vance Discusses Trump’s Controversial Social Media Post
Vice President J.D. Vance addressed questions on Monday regarding the implications of President Donald Trump’s post on Truth Social, along with the public’s response.
On Sunday evening, Trump shared an image of himself appearing as Jesus Christ healing a sick individual. The post lacked a caption, leaving it uncertain if it was created using artificial intelligence. During an appearance on “Special Report with Bret Baier,” Vance suggested that Trump intended humor in the post and that the backlash stemmed from a misinterpretation.
“As a Catholic, what’s your take on this Truth Social post showing the president in a Jesus-like role?” Baier inquired.
Vance responded, “I think the president made a joke, and he removed it because many people didn’t grasp his humor. He often likes to inject humor into social media interactions. One of the things I appreciate about him is his unfiltered approach; he communicates directly without always running his messages through PR teams.”
He also acknowledged some policy disagreements with the Vatican, noting that variations in opinions between elected officials and religious figures are normal and expected.
“Concerning our differences with the Vatican, there will inevitably be disagreements,” Vance said. “It’s actually positive that the Pope advocates for his views. However, when it comes to public policy, these disagreements will persist. I mean, sometimes there are just going to be differences.”
Vance reiterated that both the U.S. and the Vatican will continue to hold differing views on several matters.
“The Pope has criticized our immigration approach, but at the end of the day, immigration policy in America is under Donald Trump’s purview. There may be other areas of disagreement, but we highly regard our relationship with the Vatican, even when we don’t see eye to eye on substantial issues. That’s really just a part of politics,” Vance stated.
The image first emerged from the account of conservative commentator Nick Adams on February 4, sparking immediate backlash online, with users calling it offensive. Trump deleted the post the following morning after facing criticism, including from within his party.
Before sharing this particular image, Trump had criticized Pope Leo XIV on Truth Social, labeling him as “weak” on crime and “terrible” with foreign affairs. He also accused the Pope of neglecting the impact of the pandemic on religious gatherings, claiming churches faced unfair restrictions during social distancing protocols.
On Monday, the Pope addressed reporters regarding the situation, stating that the Vatican’s stance on peace aligns with its religious mission, and he would not be deterred by Trump’s comments.
“I don’t engage in debates. My words are not intended to confront anyone. The gospel message is straightforward: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,'” Leo mentioned. “I will continue to spread the Gospel message and urge everyone to seek paths to peace and reconciliation while avoiding conflicts wherever possible.”
