Trump Goes Off on Pope Leo: Fox News Fans Call Him 'Biggest Idiot'
Donald Trump is at it again, this time taking aim at Pope Leo XIV during a press briefing that left Fox News viewers fuming.
On May 6, Fox News cut into its regular programming to broadcast Trump, 79, as he ranted about the ongoing conflict with Iran. The Oval Office press conference took a sharp turn when a reporter asked if Trump had any words for the Head of the Catholic Church ahead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s trip to Italy.
What followed was a tirade where Trump insisted that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons, while simultaneously throwing shade at the pope. “I can tell you this. As far as the pope is concerned, it’s very simple. Whether I make him happy or I don’t make him happy, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he declared.
Trump accused the pope of implying that Iran could have such weapons, stating, “And I say they cannot. Because if that happened, the entire world would be hostage. And we’re not going to let that happen. That’s my only message.”
Online reactions were swift and brutal. Viewers slammed Trump for his bullying tone, especially given the pope's calls for peace. One user fired back, “Trump is the biggest idiot to hold an elected office in this country. The pope prays for peace. He never said Iran should have a nuclear weapon. Those are Trump’s words alone. Simple conversations confuse Trump.”
Another chimed in, “The audacity of Trump acting like the world runs on his personal approval is the problem. The Pope isn’t his subordinate, or his echo chamber.” A third user added, “Trump’s ‘simple message’ is pure bullying and hypocrisy.”
Despite the backlash, one supporter defended Trump, saying, “The pope needs to worry about other things instead of Iran getting blown up!”
On May 5, Marco Rubio, 54, discussed his upcoming meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican. He stepped in for White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who was on maternity leave.
Rubio made it clear he wasn’t interested in “smoothing things over” with the pope, who has been openly critical of Trump. “There’s a lot to talk about with the Vatican,” Rubio said, emphasizing shared concerns about religious freedom and global issues.
He concluded by stating that both he and Trump cannot fathom why anyone would think it’s acceptable for Iran to ever have nuclear capabilities, especially given the potential threat to Christians and Catholics worldwide.
