Trump Deletes Jesus Photo Amid Social Media Backlash

Regional outlets in Asia and elsewhere frame the Jesus image row as part of Trump’s political style and his feud with Pope Francis. They stress his shifting explanations, from suggesting he was a Red Cross-style worker to calling himself a doctor, as he tries to contain the backlash. These reports often focus on how conservative reactions and church criticism could affect Trump’s standing at home and his image abroad.

• •Asian newspapers report that Trump first hinted the image showed him as a humanitarian worker before settling on the doctor explanation.
• •Coverage in India and Southeast Asia links the Jesus meme to Trump’s broader confrontation with Pope Francis over social and political issues.
• •Regional commentators note that Trump deleted the original post only after a wave of online criticism and church statements.
• •Some outlets in Asia describe conservative Christian reactions as unusually sharp for a leader who relies heavily on religious voters.
• •Reports in regional media say the controversy has drawn attention to how Trump uses religious imagery in his political messaging.