Poll Finds Most Americans Reacted Negatively to Trump's Religious Imagery
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A recent poll shows a majority of Americans, including a large portion of his own supporters, reacted negatively to Donald Trump sharing an image depicting himself as Jesus. The poll also found broad disapproval of a Pentagon prayer invoking violence, while a majority reacted positively to Pope Leo XIV's call for peace.
Facts First
- 87% of Americans reacted negatively to Trump posting an image depicting himself as Jesus.
- 80% of Trump's 2024 voters and 79% of Republicans also reacted negatively to the image.
- 69% of Americans reacted negatively to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's prayer invoking 'violence of action'.
- 66% of Americans reacted positively to Pope Leo XIV urging Americans to work for peace.
- Trump told reporters he believed the image depicted him as 'a doctor' and 'had to do with' the Red Cross.
What Happened
A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll conducted from April 24 to 28, 2026 found that 87% of Americans had a negative reaction to Donald Trump posting an image depicting himself as Jesus. This negative reaction extended to his own base, with 80% of his 2024 voters and 79% of Republicans reacting negatively. Approximately nine in ten white evangelical Protestants viewed the post negatively, though roughly seven in ten still approved of Trump's overall job performance. The poll also found 69% of Americans reacted negatively to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's prayer at the Pentagon, which invoked 'violence of action'. In contrast, 66% of Americans reacted positively to Pope Leo XIV's urging Americans to work for peace.
Why this Matters to You
This poll indicates that a significant majority of the public, across political affiliations, disapproves of religious imagery being used in a political context. This suggests a shared cultural boundary that may influence how political figures communicate in the future. The positive reaction to a religious leader's call for peace, compared to the negative reactions to political figures' religious posts, may reflect a public preference for unifying messages over divisive ones.
What's Next
The poll results may influence how political campaigns and officials use religious symbolism in their public communications. The findings could lead to more cautious messaging strategies, especially among candidates seeking to appeal to a broad coalition of voters, including religious conservatives.