Trump says he'll refile lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal while facing backlash over AI image of himself as a religious figure
After a judge tossed his defamation case, the president vows to try again-and doubles down on a controversial post that's drawing criticism from both religious leaders and political allies
At a glance
What matters most
- A federal judge dismissed Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, citing insufficient evidence of 'actual malice' in the paper's reporting on an Epstein-related card.
- Trump says he'll refile the lawsuit, calling it a 'powerful case' and continuing his pattern of legal action against media outlets.
- He recently deleted an AI-generated image showing him in a Jesus-like pose, after backlash from both religious figures and conservative influencers.
- The post had stirred accusations of blasphemy and raised concerns about the president's use of religious imagery for political effect.
Across the spectrum
What people are saying
A quick look at how the same story is being framed from different angles.
On the Left
Trump's lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal fits a pattern of using the legal system to intimidate the press, not to seek justice. His use of religious imagery is another example of how he blurs lines between personal branding and public office, often at the expense of decency and democratic norms. The backlash from even conservative corners shows that some limits still matter.
In the Center
While public figures have the right to challenge false statements, the bar for defamation is high for good reason-to protect press freedom. The judge's decision reflects that principle. As for the AI image, its meaning may be ambiguous, but its impact was clear: it sparked widespread discomfort across the political spectrum, suggesting a misstep in tone and judgment.
On the Right
Trump is holding the media accountable for spreading unverified claims, especially those tied to discredited narratives about Epstein. The lawsuit sends a message that outlets can't weaponize old rumors without consequence. As for the image, many saw it as symbolic of leadership and healing-overreactions from church leaders and media critics reveal a bias against Trump's unorthodox style, not any real harm.
Full coverage
What you should know
A federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over a 2025 report about a greeting card linked to Jeffrey Epstein, but Trump says the legal fight isn't done. The judge ruled Monday that the president failed to meet the legal standard of proving the newspaper acted with "actual malice," a key requirement in defamation cases involving public figures. Trump responded by vowing to refile what he called a "powerful case," maintaining the Journal's story was false and damaging.
The lawsuit centered on a report claiming Trump sent a "bawdy" card to Epstein years ago. While the Journal did not assert Trump knew about Epstein's crimes at the time, the story revived uncomfortable associations between the two. Legal analysts note that Trump's track record in similar suits has been shaky, often collapsing under the high bar for proving intentional falsehood. Still, his team appears intent on pushing forward, signaling a broader pattern of using litigation to challenge unfavorable media coverage.
Meanwhile, Trump deleted a post from Truth Social that showed an AI-generated image of him in a flowing white robe, arms outstretched in a pose reminiscent of religious iconography. The image, which circulated widely after being posted in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis, sparked outrage among Catholic leaders and some conservative voices. Critics called it blasphemous and inappropriate, with several prominent MAGA influencers expressing discomfort over the blending of presidential authority and divine symbolism.
Church leaders were especially vocal, with some calling the image a distortion of sacred imagery. "There's a deep reverence in how we depict spiritual figures," said one Catholic spokesperson. "To use that imagery for political self-promotion crosses a line." Even within Trump's usual support base, the post generated unease, with some supporters suggesting it damaged his credibility rather than bolstered it.
Trump later claimed the image was meant to show him as a "doctor," not a religious figure, though the explanation did little to calm the backlash. The incident adds to a growing list of deleted social media posts that have drawn public scrutiny, from inflammatory remarks to surreal visuals. Critics argue these moments reflect a pattern of testing boundaries, then retreating when pushback intensifies.
On the global stage, Trump took a hardline stance Monday, warning that any Iranian vessels attempting to breach a newly enforced U.S. naval blockade would be "immediately eliminated." The move follows the collapse of ceasefire talks brokered by Pakistan and has raised fears of renewed conflict in the region. The administration has not clarified the legal or strategic basis for the blockade, but the rhetoric underscores a shift toward more aggressive posturing in the final stretch of Trump's second term.
Together, these developments paint a picture of a presidency operating at full volume-legally combative, visually provocative, and diplomatically uncompromising. Whether these tactics rally his base or alienate broader audiences may depend on how quickly the next controversy arrives.
About this author
Zwely News Staff compiles multi-source reporting into concise, viewpoint-aware coverage for readers who want context without noise.
Source Notes
Judge tosses Trump lawsuit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein card — but president says it's not over
President Donald Trump said he will refile his "powerful case" against the Wall Street Journal over a report related to Jeffrey Epstein after a judge tossed out the first filing Monday.The report claimed that the president sent a "bawdy" gr...
A Federal Judge Dismisses Trump's Defamation Lawsuit Against The Wall Street Journal
Trump's failure to properly allege "actual malice" is consistent with his long history of filing shaky legal claims against people who say things he does not like.
Trump deletes Truth Social image depicting him as Jesus: 'It was me as a doctor'
President Donald Trump in May 2025 posted an apparent AI image depicting himself as a Catholic pope after the death of Pope Francis.
Trump vows US will 'eliminate' any Iranian ships defying blockade
US President Donald Trump has warned that any Iranian vessels that breach Monday's newly enforced US naval blockade will be “immediately eliminated,” escalating tensions amid a fragile ceasefire after talks brokered by Pakistan failed to re...
A Non-Exhaustive List of Trump’s Deleted Posts
Despite his brashness, Donald Trump has built a habit of taking back some of his most obscene social media posts. On Monday, the president deleted a bizarre image of what appeared to be an AI-generated depiction of him as a Jesus-like figur...
Church Leaders and MAGA Influencers Decry Trump’s Blasphemous Posting Spree
The president is attacking Pope Leo XIV and sharing images depicting himself as a divine healer
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