En un año electoral y entre crecientes cuestionamientos internos por el costo político de la guerra en Irán, Donald Trump cruzó un nuevo límite al caracterizarse como Jesús en una publicación que debió eliminar ante una ola de indignación desatada en la derecha religiosa republicana.

Pero no fue todo. El presidente estadounidense se enfrascó en una pelea con el papa León XIV, su compatriota, por las críticas constantes del Vaticano a la guerra.

“El papa León es débil en materia de delincuencia y pésimo en política exterior”, dijo Trump en su red Truth Social. Pero Robert Prevost no se quedó callado

“No considero mi papel como el de un político. No soy un político. No quiero entrar en un debate con él. No le tengo miedo a la administración de Trump. Seguiré hablando en voz alta del mensaje del Evangelio, por el que trabaja la Iglesia. No miramos la política exterior con la misma perspectiva. Pero creemos en el mensaje del Evangelio como constructores de paz”, afirmó León XIV, en su viaje pastoral a Argelia.

La frase en la que dejó explícito que no le teme a Trump caló hondo en la diplomacia internacional. No es un comentario fuera de contexto. El papa dejó en claro que no se dejará avasallar por el presidente estadounidense ni dejará de cuestionar la guerra en Irán más allá de cualquier presión de la Casa Blanca.

Pero la pelea de Trump con el pontífice también dejó secuelas entre sus aliados internacionales más cercanos.

“Considero inaceptables las palabras del presidente Trump dirigidas al Santo Padre”, afirmó la jefa de gobierno italiana, Giorgia Meloni, una de las dirigentes más cercanas al presidente republicano, en un comunicado oficial.

La nueva cruzada de Trump: contra el papa y caracterizado como Jesús

Su ida y vuelta con el papa no fue lo que lo puso en aprietos con su electorado. Tampoco su negativa a pedirle disculpas. “No hay nada por lo que disculparse. Está equivocado. El papa León dijo cosas que son incorrectas. Estaba muy en contra de lo que estoy haciendo con respecto a Irán, y no se puede tener un Irán nuclear”, dijo Trump.

Su pelea, según analistas, tendrá escaso impacto electoral.

“El mensaje del papa contra la guerra difícilmente impacte en las elecciones de medio término en Estados Unidos. La base MAGA del presidente Trump está liderada por protestantes evangélicos y articulada por el nacionalismo político, mientras que el voto católico dentro de ese espacio es minoritario y se alinea más por identidad partidaria que por doctrina vaticana”, dijo a TN la consultora política estadounidense Mary Ardá.

Según la analista, “el mensaje papal sobre paz y protección de los vulnerables rara vez se traduce en comportamiento electoral» en Estados Unidos.

“La respuesta de Trump reforzó esa dinámica al convertir el mensaje en disputa partidaria, lo que aumenta su visibilidad pero consolida alineamientos existentes más que modificarlos”, indicó.

Pero la imagen hecha con IA que subió a su red social, en la que se lo ve caracterizado de Jesús mientras cura a un enfermo junto a soldados y aviones de guerra, fue la gota que rebalsó el vaso.

“Denuncio completamente esto y estoy rezando en contra de ello”, publicó en X la excongresista republicana y exaliada del presidente, Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Leé también: TN en el estrecho de Ormuz: barcos varados y una zona turística atravesada por la guerra

Isabel Brown, presentadora de un podcast católico del medio Daily Wire e influyente figura conservadora, fue más dura: “Esta publicación es, francamente, repugnante e inaceptable, pero también una profunda interpretación errónea del pueblo estadounidense que está experimentando un verdadero y hermoso renacimiento de la fe en Cristo en medio de nuestra cultura fracturada”.

Otro influencer católico y conservador alineado con Trump, Michael Knowles, pidió al presidente que eliminara la imagen. “Al presidente le conviene tanto espiritual como políticamente, borrar la foto, sin importar la intención”, afirmó, citado por EFE.

También desde la Iglesia estadounidense se alzó un coro de indignación. El sacerdote jesuita y escritor James Martin, afirmó en X: “Dudo que el papa pierda el sueño por esto, antes de iniciar su peregrinación a África. Pero el resto de nosotros sí deberíamos perderlo. Porque esto es desquiciado, falto de caridad y anticristiano. ¿Acaso no tiene fondo esta miseria moral?”, escribió.

Trump atraviesa un difícil escenario interno. A cinco meses y medio de las elecciones de medio término que dirimirán cómo será el segundo tramo de su mandato, el presidente viene perdiendo respaldo por su impopular guerra en Irán que derivó en un alza del precio de los combustibles y otros insumos. Además, en Estados Unidos los oficialismos suelen perder en los comicios legislativos.

Poco después, el presidente eliminó la imagen en la que se percibe Jesucristo y que estuvo expuesta más de 12 horas en su cuenta de Truth Social. “Sí, la publiqué, pensé que era yo como médico. Se supone que es yo como médico, haciendo que la gente mejore. Y yo sí hago que la gente mejore”, dijo al intentar una explicación ante un grupo de periodistas.

Trump finalmente encontró su límite.

EXCLUSIVE: One of the Democratic Party’s top rising stars, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, is coming under increasing fire as critics accuse her of pulling a «bait and switch» on voters by abandoning her affordability promises in favor of tax increases on «just about anything that moves.»

A new ad released by Unleash Prosperity on Monday slammed Spanberger over her affordability promises as Virginia Democrats propose new taxes on everyday expenses like dry cleaning, gym memberships and pet care. Unleash Prosperity’s ad puts it bluntly, saying, «Virginia can’t afford this.»

The governor has not publicly supported or signed the measures. A statement by the governor’s office sent to Fox News Digital on Monday emphasized that Spanberger did not sign the tax bills into law «because the General Assembly never passed them, and the bills never reached her desk.» The statement said that Spanberger has «remained laser-focused on addressing high costs for Virginians.»

However, Spanberger has supported a broader set of revenue measures since taking office, including proposals targeting digital services and business activity, as part of an effort to fund priorities such as education and healthcare.

TRUMP BLASTS SPANBERGER AHEAD OF VIRGINIA MEETINGS, SAYS STATE FACES TAX BASE EXODUS LIKE NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA

Steve Moore, an economist who co-founded Unleash Prosperity, told Fox News Digital that while Spanberger cashed in on Virginians’ worries over prices, she «raced out of the gate with all of these very liberal policies, including tax increases on just about anything that moves in Virginia.»

Moore said Democrats across the country should take Spanberger’s decline as a «warning» ahead of 2028.

There has been much buzz around Spanberger and her gubernatorial victory last year, which resulted in Republicans being ousted from power in Virginia. The Democratic Party selected her to give its response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union, further evidencing her stardom.

Yet, despite the Democrats elevating her and even floating her as a presidential or vice-presidential pick, Moore said Virginians have been «shocked about that,» explaining why her approval ratings have «absolutely plummeted.»

«She has seen one of the swiftest declines in her popularity in the first six months in office that I’ve seen in many years of politics,» Moore said.

Forty-six percent of Virginians disapprove of her job performance, while 47% approve, according to a recent Washington Post-Schar School poll. Compared with Virginia governors from both parties since 1994, Spanberger has the highest disapproval rating at this point in her term.

In contrast, predecessor Gov. Glenn Youngkin had a 54-39 job approval rating at this point in his term, with the highest favorability going to Democrat Mark Warner – now Virginia’s senior senator – at 78-20.

Moore called Spanberger’s tumbling ratings «the price for her bait-and-switch tax hike on Virginia residents and small businesses.»

DEMS WHO RAN ON AFFORDABILITY NOW FACE BACKLASH AS COSTS CLIMB IN NY, VIRGINIA

Scouts march in a parade for Gov. Abigail Spanberger. (Al Drago/Getty Images)

«She campaigned on affordability, and nearly on day one in office, she and Virginia Democrats in Richmond endorsed a catalog of left-wing tax increase proposals on everything from dry cleaners to dog groomers, which make Virginia look like California,» he said.

«Spanberger promised to be a pro-business moderate Democrat,» he went on, quipping, «Maybe she should be known as ‘Scam-Berger.’»

Moore said Spanberger’s quick decline in the polls does not bode well for the Democratic Party’s hopes of taking back the White House in 2028.

«Spanberger is not alone,» he explained. «We’re seeing that with a lot of Democrats around the country; they run as moderates and as soon as they get in, they move to the extreme left.»

«You’re seeing Democrats who are governors and mayors across the country who are advancing very liberal pro-tax policies that are anti-business. And I think it’s a very tough agenda for Democrats to run with in 2028 on the national picture,» he went on.

«That should be a warning signal to Democrats across the country.»

VIRGINIA DEMS TAKE TAX HIKES INTO OVERTIME, TARGET FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUES 

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and President Donald Trump, who has criticized the governor’s tax policies and warned of a potential business exodus. (Marvin Joseph/Getty Images; Brendan Smilowski/AFP)

Last week Trump took a similar line of criticism against Spanberger ahead of meetings in the state. He warned in a Truth Social post that her policies are triggering a tax base exodus similar to New York and California.

«She is adding so many Taxes, a Food and Beverage Tax, Digital Services Tax, Utilities Tax, and more,» Trump wrote. «It has lost its Energy, Vitality, and Strength. People are leaving that would never have even thought of doing so!»

In a statement shared with Fox News Digital, Spanberger’s office slammed criticisms of the governor raising taxes as «misinformation.»

«The volume of misinformation — spread across social media and repeated in press coverage — made a clarification necessary. The facts are straightforward,» the statement said. «Governor Abigail Spanberger did not sign dozens of tax bills into law — because the General Assembly never passed them, and the bills never reached her desk.»

The office added that «in the opening months of her administration, Governor Spanberger has remained laser-focused on addressing high costs for Virginians» and is «also working alongside legislators and local communities to attract new capital investment.»

Spanberger has also pushed back on the criticism herself. In a post on X, she said Trump and his allies were mischaracterizing her policies.

«The president and his allies are talking about taxes that our state legislature never even voted on and I certainly didn’t sign,» she wrote. «Why? Because if they don’t flood the zone with fake news about fake taxes, people might hear about the bills I am signing to lower energy costs, strengthen our schools, make housing more affordable, and bring billions of dollars of business investment to Virginia.»

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

A Spanberger spokesperson added that businesses have announced «more than $500 million in new investment in the commonwealth since Governor Spanberger took office in January,» while accusing Trump of focusing on politics instead of economic stability.

«The ballgame changed when the President — whose been busy raising costs for Virginians by starting a reckless war that has skyrocketed inflation and driven gas prices up to $4 — strong-armed states into drawing more Republican congressional seats that he asserted he was ‘entitled’ to before the midterms,» the governor’s spokesperson said. «As prices rise in Trump’s economy, Governor Spanberger will continue her work with both parties to address the high housing, healthcare and energy costs that Virginians are feeling.»

Fox News Digital’s Charles Creitz and Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, abruptly announced his decision to resign from Congress Monday evening amid calls for him to step aside after admitting to sexual misconduct with a staffer earlier this year.

The embattled lawmaker is facing an anticipated expulsion vote that could occur as early as this week. 

«There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office,» Gonzales wrote on social media. «It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.»

It is currently unclear when Gonzales will formally resign. A spokesperson for Gonzales did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

SWALWELL ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION FROM CONGRESS AFTER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS TORPEDOED GUBERNATORIAL BID

Gonzales has come under bipartisan pressure to immediately step aside or face expulsion following his acknowledgment of an affair with his former staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, who later died by setting herself on fire.

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., has vowed to move forward with her expulsion resolution if Gonzales does not quickly resign.

«He has until 2PM tomorrow—when we will file his expulsion. He better write that resignation «effective immediately,» Leger Fernandez wrote on social media.

He first admitted to an affair with Santos-Aviles during a radio interview in March after repeatedly denying the existence of a sexual relationship.

«I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions,» Gonzales told conservative radio host Joe Pags during the interview. «Since then, I’ve reconciled with my wife, Angel. I’ve asked God to forgive me, which he has, and my faith is as strong as ever.» 

Gonzales, who is married and has six children, has not acknowledged a second accusation of sexual misconduct with a former aide reported by The San Antonio-Express News.

Lawmakers are prohibited from engaging in sexual relationships with staffers, per House rules. 

His announcement came just an hour after Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., said he planned to resign from the lower chamber amid serious allegations of sexual misconduct and rape. The California Democrat has not specified the particular day he plans to leave office.

REP TONY GONZALES ANNOUNCES HE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION AMID HOUSE ETHICS INVESTIGATION INTO AFFAIR

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D- CA), left, listens to former Special Counsel Jack Smith testifies during a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington DC on January 22, 2026. Former special counsel Jack Smith defended his prosecution of Donald Trump accusing him of engaging in a «criminal scheme» to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Swalwell, too, was facing a potential expulsion vote that Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., was pressuring House GOP leadership to bring to the floor by Wednesday.

«The actions of these two Members reflect poorly on every single one of us,» Luna wrote in a letter to colleagues on Monday that was reviewed by Fox News Digital. «We as Members of Congress need to stand together in publicly condemning this behavior and restore the trust we have lost with the American people. 

«We are the company we keep,» she added.

It takes a two-thirds majority to expel a lawmaker from Congress.

Gonzales, a three-term lawmaker, suspended his reelection campaign in March after House GOP leadership called on him to exit the race.

President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., then switched their endorsements to conservative activist Brandon Herrera, who was competing in a run-off against Gonzales for the GOP nomination. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.  (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Both Gonzales and Swalwell were under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. However, the committee is expected to suspend its investigation into both members when they officially step aside.

Johnson had urged lawmakers to allow the ethics panel’s investigation into Gonzales to be completed before the consideration of drastic measures, such as expulsion. 

The dual resignation announcements could impact House Republicans’ razor-thin majority. If the lawmakers both officially resign tomorrow, then each party will have one fewer lawmaker. 

However, Congressman-elect Clay Fuller, R-Ga., who won a special election last week to fill former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat, R-Ga., is expected to be sworn in on Tuesday.