How Donald Trump's 'Jesus' post and row with Pope Leo are making even his Maga supporters have doubts
Donald Trump may regret his forays into religious matters when the mid-term election results come in
Not so very long ago, in the columns of this publication, I said that while we may dislike Donald Trump personally, we should still respect the office of president of the United States. That is becoming more difficult by the day.
Reports from the US suggest that even the most loyal Maga fans are beginning to doubt the 47th president. By turning on the Pope, Trump has made it difficult, perhaps impossible, for many Americans to accept his methods and therefore his behaviour.
Seeing the world’s two most influential American leaders pitted against one another just seems to add to the uncertainty and unpredictability of the world. We couldn't write it, yet are we surprised?
Pleasant and humble
I have never met Trump and have no desire to, but I have had the privilege of meeting Pope Leo. As someone brought up in a Presbyterian household – like Trump – I was not impressed by the paraphernalia of the papal offices or the grandeur of the Vatican city.
But I did find the leader of the Catholic church to be a pleasant and humble individual with just a hint of a steely strong personality in the way he politely but firmly held court.
And although I do not share his faith, I do respect the Pope’s right to speak out on the moral issues of the day and the comfort he brings to so many by doing so. Especially in the current tense international political climate. That the US administration should suggest otherwise is astonishing.
But then this is also the president who, regardless of what his hindsight justification might have been, appeared happy to see himself depicted as Jesus on social media. I was not surprised to hear that.
Much has been made of the fact that this, at best tasteless, interlude has offended over a billion Catholics worldwide but it is the domestic impact which might be Trump’s undoing in this autumn’s midterms.
Trump in trouble in the US
On a recent parliamentary delegation to Connecticut in the US, I experienced the reality of Trump’s America and public reaction. Of course in a country of that scale, we know there are vast differences in local opinions, but every national news bulletin was filled with criticism of policies which have created tensions, problems at airports and an economy feeling the effects of his “beautiful” tariffs.
And that was before the papal onslaught. This episode will not be easy to turn away from. Ridiculous comments from Vice-President JD Vance haven’t helped and aren't likely to abate.
And, for most people, suggesting that the head of the church should not comment on theology, or that perhaps America should have a separate Catholic church, is indicative of an unacceptable type of politics dominating the airwaves. That church and state should be separate is a universally accepted principle in modern democracies.
Millions of Americans will exercise their democratic right at the polls this autumn and there are a number of contests which may well determine who controls the Senate. Taking on any faith or its leader can only have one loser. That is one conflict Trump may wish to avoid.
Christine Jardine is the Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West
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