Trump Supporters Burn MAGA Hats After President's Attack on Pope Leo and Self-Depiction as Jesus
In a striking display of discontent, former supporters of Donald Trump have taken to social media to document the burning of their MAGA hats. The catalyst? A recent post on Truth Social where Trump shared an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus, following a scathing critique of Pope Leo XIV.
One viral video, which has garnered over 300,000 views on X, features a man pouring gasoline over his red MAGA cap before igniting it, flames quickly consuming the hat. Another clip shows a MAGA hat sizzling on a barbecue, while a TikTok user articulates her reasons for the act, stating, “It says ‘2016 MAGA’ because I voted for Trump in 2016 and I put ‘lies’ because I was lied to.” Her friends join in, tossing their own hats into the fire.
Trump's recent actions have widened the rift within his base, particularly after he escalated tensions with Iran amid ongoing conflicts in Israel. Many who once rallied behind his America First agenda now feel betrayed, believing he has strayed from his promise to avoid foreign entanglements.
The controversial AI image shared by Trump shows him as a Christ-like figure healing a wounded man, surrounded by nurses and military personnel, with iconic American landmarks in the background. Critics have labeled this portrayal as blasphemous. “Trump is now posting AI images of himself as Jesus Christ healing, what appears to be, a young Jeffrey Epstein,” remarked a Democratic commentator on X, capturing the sentiment of many.
Just moments before this post, Trump unleashed a tirade against Pope Leo XIV, branding him “WEAK on Crime” and criticizing his foreign policy. He claimed credit for Leo’s election to the papacy, asserting that the pontiff’s position was a direct result of his presidency. “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” he declared.
Trump’s posts have not only angered former supporters but also alienated many within the Christian community. His comments about the pope’s handling of COVID restrictions and foreign policy decisions have drawn ire from those who once viewed him as an ally. “Pope Leo thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” Trump stated, further inflaming tensions.
It’s honestly sad to watch these videos but they are everywhere on instagram.
— Eric Spracklen 🇺🇸 (@EricSpracklen) April 12, 2026
Take me back to 2016. Simpler times.
I pray this admin wakes up. pic.twitter.com/fUwmad1nGz
As the backlash continues to unfold, Trump’s supporters are left grappling with their loyalty amidst his increasingly controversial statements. The president concluded his diatribe by urging Pope Leo to abandon political posturing and focus on spiritual leadership, warning that his current approach is detrimental to both himself and the Catholic Church.
In a poignant counterpoint, Pope Leo had recently called for peace and denounced the idolization of power and wealth, seemingly addressing Trump’s rhetoric directly. “Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life,” he posted on X, accompanied by a Biblical passage.
