Hard Wire

Trump Jokes About Wanting To Be The Pope

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In a moment destined to set social media ablaze and his critics’ hair on fire, President Donald Trump on Tuesday casually nominated himself for Pope — or at least joked about it, in classic Trumpian fashion.

Speaking to reporters on the South Lawn during a brief press scrum marking the 100th day of his second term, Trump was asked about the upcoming papal conclave following the passing of Pope Francis. The question, lobbed somewhat lightly, gave Trump a prime opportunity to deliver a quip that was sure to dominate headlines.

“As Pope?” Trump echoed, before grinning and delivering the punchline: “I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.”

Cue the gasps, laughs, and predictable wave of outrage.

With Marine One’s rotor blades churning in the background, the president clarified — though with trademark nonchalance — that he had “no preference” for the next pontiff, but added a nod toward Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, calling him “very good.” Dolan, known for his affable public demeanor and prominent role in American Catholic leadership, is one of ten American cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave, but Vatican watchers see him as a long shot due to concerns over perceived U.S. influence within the global Church.

Yet the real headline wasn’t Dolan — it was Trump, playfully tossing his own name into the ring for supreme pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

Within minutes, reactions online ranged from gleeful amusement to full-scale meltdowns. Supporters and neutral observers responded with memes and tongue-in-cheek slogans:

  • “Make Rome Great Again.”

  • “The Vatican has a chance to do the funniest thing.”

  • “You’re not gonna convince me Trump saying ‘I’d like to be Pope’ isn’t funny.”

But on the other side, his familiar chorus of detractors sprang into action, decrying the comment as flippant, disrespectful, or blasphemous. Political commentators quickly seized on the moment, some attempting to spin the joke into a broader narrative of egoism or irreverence.

Of course, anyone familiar with Trump’s style — honed over decades in public life — knew what this was: a well-timed, off-the-cuff joke, designed to bait outrage, entertain supporters, and dominate another day’s news cycle.

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