Donald Trump is not Jesus.
He cannot heal people by laying on hands. And doctors don’t wear robes; they wear white coats and scrubs. They use 
stethoscopes, modern medicine, and advanced technology in their effort to heal the sick.
Obvious to most — but apparently not to Mr. Trump.
After a back-and-forth with Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, the president posted an AI-generated image to his Truth Social account — an image he did not create himself. It quickly spread across social media, websites, and apps.
Trump defended the post Monday afternoon, blaming “fake news” for the reaction. He said the image was meant to depict him as a doctor — even suggesting a connection to humanitarian efforts like the Red Cross.
“It’s supposed to be me as a doctor,” the president said. “Making people better… and I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”
The post was later deleted after backlash, including criticism from many conservatives.
“Does he actually think this?” Riley Gaines posted on social media. “God shall not be mocked.”
Trump likely wasn’t thinking about West Virginia when he made the post. He often talks about his love for the state — and the state’s love for him — frequently pointing to his landslide victories here in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
And it’s true — many West Virginians strongly support his positions on taxes, the economy, and energy policy.
But this may cross a line.
According to Pew Research, roughly 64 percent of adults in West Virginia identify as Christian — many of them evangelical or mainline Protestants. These are voters who have stood by Trump through controversy, willing to overlook personal shortcomings because he acknowledged their beliefs, and professed his own faith in Jesus Christ.
For some, this moment may be different.
Scripture in Galatians warns against mocking God… a reminder that actions carry consequences.
This isn’t about legalism; though that mindset exists in parts of Appalachia. This is about something more basic: reverence – a deep awe, respect and submission to God the Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit. The image, and the response that followed; strike many as flippant at best, and irreverent at worst.
I’ve never voted for Donald Trump, and I’ve never felt beholden to him. I’ve supported some of his policies and opposed others based on rational economics and policy — or not. He never struck me as a man of morals as much as perhaps a lesser of bad choices.
But after Monday, I can’t support him.
I will continue to support the country. I will support our armed forces. I will respect the office of the presidency. It deserves respect.
But the man? That’s different.
My faith calls me to forgive — not to judge. But it also allows me to evaluate. And for me, a president comfortable posting that image is not someone I can stand behind, especially when he doesn’t own his mistake and refuses to apologize.
That’s a personal decision. One each of us must make; one that shouldn’t be held against anyone who sees it differently or otherwise.
But for me, it’s simple.
I just can’t do it.