Strategist Claims Trump Lacks Intelligence to Be the Antichrist

“The Antichrist would be smarter than him,” declared James Carville, a prominent Democratic strategist, dismissing the notion that Donald Trump could embody such a figure. This assertion came during a recent episode of Politicon’s Politics War Room podcast, where Carville addressed the claims made by various Republican figures labeling Trump as the Antichrist.

Among those making such claims is Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News host, alongside Rod Dreher, whom Carville described as Vance’s “spiritual mentor.” Dreher has gone so far as to state that Trump is “radiating the spirit of Antichrist, no question,” according to reports.

Carville, who previously admitted to suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” noted, “Well, I haven’t gotten there,” suggesting his critiques are not as extreme as others. He emphasized this point while addressing critics of his blunt remarks about Trump: “All the people that fight in the street about my name-calling, understand this. I have not yet referred to Donald John Trump as the Antichrist. Alright? Because I think the Antichrist would be smarter than him.”

This commentary follows backlash against Trump from conservatives and religious leaders after he shared an AI-generated image portraying himself as Jesus Christ. The image depicted Trump in a flowing white robe and red sash, extending a glowing hand to heal a man in a hospital bed, provoking strong reactions from many conservative Christians, including Dreher.

In a recent episode of The Tucker Carlson Show, Carlson expressed his torment over his past support for Trump, reflecting on the ongoing feud between Trump and Pope Leo. The pontiff had criticized the president's threats regarding Iran, leading Carlson to question whether Trump could indeed be the Antichrist. “He’s mocking Jesus. He’s making fun of Christianity. The central figure of the religion is being held up for mockery,” Carlson lamented. “Could this be the Antichrist? Well, who knows? At least that’s my conclusion. Who knows?”

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former GOP Congresswoman and once an ally of Trump, re-shared the controversial image on X, labeling it “more than blasphemy” and indicative of an “Antichrist spirit.”

Clint Russel, host of the right-wing Liberty Lockdown podcast, echoed similar sentiments on X, stating, “In 18 months I went from hesitantly voting for Trump to thinking there’s a decent chance he’s the antichrist.”

Texas pastor Joel Webbon also weighed in on social media, asserting, “I genuinely believe Trump is currently demon possessed.”

The controversial image was shared amid Trump's ongoing dispute with Pope Leo, who condemned the president's aggressive rhetoric towards Iran. Following significant backlash, Trump deleted the post, claiming he believed it depicted him as a doctor rather than a religious figure.

Trump attributed the uproar to “fake news” but refrained from apologizing to the pope. Meanwhile, Pope Leo has vowed to continue advocating against war. “Too many people are suffering in the world today,” he stated earlier this month. “Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way.”

Pope Leo's persistent criticism has only fueled Trump's ire. In an April 14 rant on Truth Social, he lashed out: “Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable. Thank you for your attention to this matter. AMERICA IS BACK!!!”

Both current and former vice presidents have weighed in on this escalating feud. Vance cautioned that the Pope should be “careful when he talks about matters of theology.” Mike Pence urged Trump to de-escalate his religious conflict with the Pope and criticized the president for sharing “offensive” images depicting himself as Jesus.

Pence remarked, “I think the president was right to take that one image down and his ongoing argument with Pope Leo has abated to a degree, and I welcome that.” He added that while both leaders have their rights to express their views, he would advise Trump: “Let the pope be the pope, and you be the president.”