Trump posting a picture of himself as the Pope is quite the visual.
This isn’t the first time Trump has imagined himself as an historical or iconic figure. The Pope image is just the latest in a long line of self-comparisons. It’s a pattern that’s been well-documented over the years, both in his own words and in how others perceive him. Whether we see it as confidence or hubris, it’s definitely a Trump signature move – reflecting a consistent sentiment that he enjoys casting himself in the mold of revered or powerful figures.
For example, Trump has compared himself to George Washington:
“It has been stated by many that the first month of our presidency … is the most successful in the history of our nation,” Trump said without citing any source. “And what makes it even more impressive is that, do you know who number two is George Washington? How about that? I don’t know about that list, but we’ll take it.”
And thus, of course, Abraham Lincoln:
“This is Donald Trump, hopefully your favorite president of all time, better than Lincoln, better than Washington,” Trump said in a video introducing “Trump digital trading cards” in December 2022, shortly after announcing his third run for the presidency.
The Republican has often raised the Great Emancipator’s name and compared himself or others to him – he’s been treated worse than Lincoln, he’s done more for Blacks than anyone since Lincoln, and so on.
No-one is immune, not even Jesus:
Donald Trump took to Truth Social to once again compare himself to Jesus Christ as he complained about the criminal and civil cases against him, which he views as politically motivated persecution.
On Monday, Mr Trump claimed that he received a message stating: “It’s ironic that Christ walked through His greatest persecution the very week they are trying to steal your property from you.”
“Beautiful, thank you!” Mr Trump responded, seemingly moved by the message that his $464m fine for decades of financial fraud is on the same level as the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This one is also a bit of a stretch – Nelson Mandela:
Former US President Donald Trump, who has been indicted in four different criminal cases, on Saturday compared himself to South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela while accusing Merchan of violating the law his First Amendment rights to free speech.
In a post on Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “If this Partisan Hack wants to put me in the ‘clink’ for speaking the open and obvious TRUTH, I will gladly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela – It will be my GREAT HONOR.”
I can’t believe he thinks he looks like Elvis:
(Yes, it’s vomitous.)
I can think of many valid comparisons to Al Capone, but not this one:
“The great Alphonse Capone, legendary Scarface, was attacked only a tiny fraction of what Trump was attacked, and maybe it worked out well. I don’t know,” Trump mused. “If I had to give it up, I probably wouldn’t, but only because I’ve gone through it. But I wonder what the difference would be.”
Despite what Trump thinks, there’s no comparison to Winston Churchill:
President Donald Trump has taken to comparing himself to legendary British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to defend why he intentionally minimized the threat of the coronavirus in public earlier this year even as he privately acknowledged that the danger was grave.
“He always spoke with calmness. He said we have to show calmness,” Trump said, likening his attempts to play down the virus to Churchill’s leadership amid the Nazis’ sustained bombing “blitz” against London during World War II.
And a painting! He’s the modern day Mona Lisa:
Former US President and 2024 Presidential hopeful Donald Trump recently compared himself to the world’s most famous artwork.
Donald Trump just compared himself to the world’s most famous painting in a pretty strange turn of events.
In an interview with Carmarthen-based, Welsh-language TV channel S4C, Trump discussed the devoted fans who attend most of his rallies, following him around the country.
And then he did something particularly strange, and compared his followers to people who line up to see the most famous artwork of all time: the Mona Lisa.
He said: “You have people that go to the Mona Lisa – they love the Mona Lisa and they’ll see it hundreds and hundreds of times and it gets better each time.”
Speaking at an event where he showcased trading cards with photoshopped images of himself as Washington and Lincoln, he just couldn’t help himself: “I am so impressed by the love of me!” Yuk.
Fast forward to May 3, and Trump sharing an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope on Truth Social; seated on a throne, dressed in papal robes – which aligns with his past behaviour of projecting himself into grand roles.
Looking at broader context, Trump’s public statements and actions show this grandeur tendency. In his first 100 days of his second term, which wrapped up recently, he’s been vocal about his legacy. At a rally in Michigan, he claimed:
“We’re here tonight in the heartland of our nation to celebrate the most successful first 100 days of any administration in the history of our country – and that’s according to many, many people,” Trump told a roaring crowd of supporters. “This is the best, they say, 100-day start of any president in history, and everyone is saying it.
“We’ve just gotten started. You haven’t seen anything yet. It’s just kicking off.”
The White House even launched a Drudge-style website with a headline calling it “THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FIRST 100 DAYS IN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY.” This self-aggrandisement fits with his habit of aligning himself with historical greatness.
You wonder who might be next. In anticipation I’ve picked a few for him:
Napoleon Bonaparte
A time-travelling singing pharaoh
As Paul McCartney (yes, sacrilege)
Florence Nightingale
Bugs Bunny
That’s all, folks.
See also: If you asked Donald Trump who was the greatest person ever to have lived, he’d say “Donald Trump”
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Dregsy Trump can be depicted as anyone, just a fantasy creation. Fantasy is often fun, but, sick and demented people, so many USAns here, are drenched in its inaccuracies and dishonesties, so that there are plenty who believe a fairy figure made the earth and all things within in about a week, just a few thousand years ago. Some also actually believe in the existence of Snow White, Superman, John Wayne Superhero Deadshot, Infallible Donald Dogshit. etc. Sickos, and they want to tell us all how, why, if, when…Make Civilised Educated Society Great Again, for us all.
It’s really quite straightforward and I don’t understand why so few observers are pointing this out. Like Caligula, Trump is mentally ill. It’s been obvious for years, even before his first disastrous term as POTUS. Whether it’s dementia, Neurosyphilis or something else, he’s clearly seriously, deeply unwell.
Trump is criminally insane.Other than that,he is perfect in every way,let’s cut him a break…
Max Gross:
It’s been obvious for years that he’s absolutely bonkers – and not in a good way. What I find disturbing is that so many USAnians make the same comparisons and actually swallow all the lies and misinformation.
That country is utterly fucked.
A man , never celibate , serial divorcee , convicted felon barely speaks English , so no Latin at all, for pope ? The delusion has no bounds . Seriously mentally damaged , needing confinement urgently before he sets the world on fire.
Donald Trump can imagine, or delude himself into believing whatever he wants.
But to rational people he will always be petulant and narcissistic, motivated only by self aggrandisement.
His legacy will be the diminution and isolation of the US and the emergence of the EU, aligned with other former US allies.