Trump Blasts Pope Leo: "He's Only Pope Because I Am President"
In a stunning late-night post, Donald Trump claims credit for the Pope’s election, slams his foreign policy, and demands the Vatican stop “catering to the Radical Left
In what is being described as his most aggressive confrontation with the Holy See to date, President Donald J. Trump unleashed a blistering attack on Pope Leo late Sunday night. The President accused the Pontiff of being "weak on crime," failing on foreign policy, and being an "American surprise" who would not be in power if not for Trump’s presence in the White House.
The social media post, which sent shockwaves through both the political and religious worlds, marks a new low in the already frigid relationship between the 47th President and the head of the Catholic Church.
‘If I Wasn’t in the White House, Leo Wouldn’t Be in the Vatican’
In a mix of grievance and geopolitical critique, Trump suggested that the Catholic Church only elected Pope Leo, an America, as a strategic move to manage his administration.
"He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump," the President wrote.
Trump went on to claim that the Pope has failed to show gratitude for the "Landslide" victory and the "Greatest Stock Market in History," instead choosing to align himself with "Obama sympathizers" and "Losers from the Left."
The Venezuela & Iran Flashpoints
The heart of the President’s ire appears to stem from Pope Leo’s public criticism of recent U.S. military actions. Trump specifically called out the Pontiff for criticizing the U.S. intervention in Venezuela, a country Trump claims was "emptying their prisons" of murderers and "sending massive amounts of drugs" into American streets.
The President’s grievances included:
Nuclear Weapons: Accusing the Pope of being "OK" with Iran obtaining nuclear capabilities.
The Venezuela Conflict: Defending the U.S. attack as a necessary measure against "killers" and "drug dealers."
COVID-19 Retribution: Bringing up the "fear" felt by Christian organizations during the pandemic, accusing the Pope of ignoring the "arresting of priests and ministers" while churchgoers were social distancing.
In perhaps the most personal jab of the statement, Trump drew a sharp contrast between the Pope and his own brother, Louis.
"I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA," Trump declared. "He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!".
The President also took aim at a recent meeting between the Pope and Democratic strategist David Axelrod. Trump labeled Axelrod a "LOSER from the Left" and one of the primary figures who allegedly wanted clerics arrested during the pandemic lockdowns.