Trump Deleted His 'Great Physician' Post and the Church Must Not Stay Silent

Trump Deleted His 'Great Physician' Truth Social Post and Christians Are Sounding the Alarm on Church and State

President Donald Trump deleted an AI generated image from his Truth Social account on Monday, April 13, 2026, after widespread backlash from his own conservative Christian base. The image depicted Trump in white and red robes with divine light emanating from his hands as he placed a hand on a sick man in a hospital bed, closely resembling traditional depictions of Jesus Christ as the "Great Physician."

The post, shared on Sunday evening, was removed roughly 13 hours later after evangelical and Catholic allies called it blasphemous in a rare public break from supporters who have largely stood by him.

Trump told reporters outside the White House that the image was not meant to portray him as Jesus.

I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor, and had to do with Red Cross, as a Red Cross worker there, which we support. It's supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better.

Vice President JD Vance offered a separate explanation on Fox News, saying Trump was "posting a joke" and "took it down because he recognized a lot of people weren't understanding his humor in that case."

Conservative Christian commentator Megan Basham called the image "OUTRAGEOUS blasphemy." Former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X that she "completely denounce[d]" the post, noting it came on Orthodox Easter. The post had followed a series of social media attacks by Trump on Pope Leo XIV, whom he called "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy."

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins responded with a column in The Christian Post, arguing the incident illustrates why the biblical principle of separation of church and state remains essential. Perkins cited Romans 13:1 and the story of King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26, who was struck with leprosy after entering the temple to burn incense, a duty reserved for priests.

Civil leaders are not to assume roles or authority that belongs to God or His ordained institutions.

Tony Perkins, President of Family Research Council

Perkins also invoked Martin Luther King Jr.'s declaration that "The Church must be reminded that it is not the master or servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state."

Why the Deleted Trump Jesus Image Matters for Christian Faith and Politics in America

The broader context adds further weight. Trump's Religious Liberty Commission held its final meeting the following day, where Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick declared that "the separation of church and state is the biggest lie that's been told in America since our founding." Trump himself said at a White House prayer event, "Let's forget about that for one time."

As Perkins warned, when any political leader is portrayed in explicitly messianic terms, a line has been crossed. The question now is whether the Church will fulfill its prophetic role or surrender it through silence.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let me be absolutely clear: no man, no president, no political leader on this earth is the Great Physician. That title belongs to Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. When we allow any leader to be wrapped in the imagery of our Savior without correction, we are not honoring that leader. We are dishonoring the One who actually bore the cross. Tony Perkins is right. King Uzziah tried to play priest and God struck him with leprosy on the spot. The Church must never trade its prophetic voice for political access. We can support policies that align with Scripture. We can work alongside leaders who defend the unborn and protect religious liberty. But the moment we start bowing to Caesar as though he were Christ, we have lost the very thing that makes us salt and light. Speak up. Push back. No politician deserves your worship.

Take Action

• Read Tony Perkins' full column at The Christian Post and share it with your church community.
• Contact your elected representatives and urge them to uphold the biblical distinction between civil authority and spiritual authority. Find your representative at house.gov.
• Have an honest conversation with your pastor and church leadership about how your congregation navigates the intersection of faith and politics without compromising the Gospel.
• Support organizations defending persecuted Christians worldwide who face real consequences for their faith. Donate at www.TheShepherdsShield.org, Open Doors USA, or Voice of the Martyrs.
• Pray for discernment among Christian leaders and elected officials that they would guard the boundary between civil service and spiritual authority as Scripture commands.