Recent Developments
Hey there! Welcome back to Unfit to Print. I’m still processing Rory’s incredible back-to-back Masters victories, so if I sound a bit off today, that’s probably why.
In this edition, we’ve got some significant updates: Trump is at it again with the Vatican, the U.S. has initiated a Naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, and Eric Swalwell has exited the California governor’s race amid allegations of sexual harassment.
Trump’s Clash with the Vatican
On Sunday night, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to criticize Pope Leo just days after efforts were made to mend the relationship between the administration and the Vatican.
In an extensive post, Trump declared Pope Leo to be “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy,” claiming he showed no concern when churches were closed during the pandemic.
This critique came as Pope Leo voiced his opposition to the war in Iran, emphasizing the need for global peace. In response, the Pope stated, “I will not enter into debate. The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone. The message of the Gospel is very clear: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’”
Pope Leo continued, saying, “I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel and inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, and seeking to avoid war whenever possible.”
Adding further drama, Trump reposted what seemed to be an AI-generated image of himself portraying Jesus Christ healing the sick. This act drew backlash from various Christian groups.
Women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines questioned Trump’s decision on X, stating, “I cannot understand why he’d post this … God shall not be mocked.” Conservative Christian activist Sean Feucht called for the post’s immediate removal, saying, “There’s no context where this is acceptable.”
Furthermore, this incident followed a report suggesting that Trump officials had intimidated Pope Leo’s former ambassador in a February meeting. While both the Pentagon and the Vatican denied these claims, asserting they were false, Trump’s recent comments have muddied the waters regarding the relationship between the two.
Now, there are concerns about the potential political implications of Trump’s statements. He managed to win over the majority of Catholic voters in 2024 after losing their support to then-candidate Joe Biden in 2020. Working-class Catholics were a crucial part of Trump’s coalition.
This newsletter will also include insights into the U.S. Naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing Swalwell scandal. Stay tuned for more!
