House Speaker Mike Johnson is weighing in after President Donald Trump faced widespread backlash over a now-deleted social media post that many critics described as blasphemous.

The image, shared Sunday evening on Truth Social, depicted Trump in a white robe with a red shawl, appearing to heal a man lying in a hospital bed. Surrounding the scene were figures, including a nurse and a woman in prayer, along with patriotic imagery like the American flag and the Statue of Liberty. Above them, figures appeared in the clouds, adding to the post’s dramatic, symbolic nature.

By Monday afternoon, the image had been removed.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill, Johnson said he addressed the controversy directly with Trump and believes the situation was largely a misunderstanding. “I talked with the president about it as soon as I saw it and told him that I don’t think it was being received in the same way he intended,” Johnson explained. “He agreed, and he pulled it down.”

Johnson, who has strong ties to the Christian community and previously served as a trustee for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, said he does not believe Trump meant any disrespect. “He explained how he saw that, and I don’t think he thought it was sacrilegious at all,” Johnson said, adding that removing the post was “the right thing to do.”

Trump also addressed the controversy during a White House media briefing, offering his own explanation. “I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor and had to do with the Red Cross,” he said. “It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better, and I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”

However, critics quickly pointed out that while the image did include a nurse, there was no clear indication of any Red Cross affiliation. Trump pushed back on the criticism, blaming “the fake news” for interpreting the image as a comparison to Jesus.

Despite those explanations, the reaction from many Christians — including some who have previously supported Trump — was swift and strong. Former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on social media, “It’s more than blasphemy. It’s an Antichrist spirit.”

Christ Church Pastor Douglas Wilson also responded, expressing appreciation for the pushback. “I was very grateful to see how many conservative Christians immediately denounced the blasphemous Jesus/Trump image,” he wrote. “I was also grateful to see how many center/left Christians suddenly agreed that public blasphemy is a thing we should all be concerned about.”

Conservative influencer Riley Gaines echoed similar concerns, writing, “Seriously, I cannot understand why he’d post this… a little humility would serve him well… God shall not be mocked.”

The controversy comes just days after White House Faith Office advisor Paula White-Cain drew attention for remarks comparing Trump’s political struggles — including surviving assassination attempts — to the persecution of Jesus. Her comments, delivered during a private Easter event with Christian leaders, added to the broader conversation about faith, leadership, and the boundaries many believers feel should not be crossed.

For many Christians, the situation has sparked deeper reflection on reverence, humility, and the importance of honoring Jesus in both word and image. While Johnson emphasized that no offense was intended, the strong reaction highlights how seriously many believers take anything that appears to blur the line between political figures and the person of Christ.