Day after stirring controversy over Trump’s AI image as Pope, the White House has sparked a fresh row by sharing yet another AI-generated image of the US President depicted as a muscular Jedi to mark Star Wars Day, celebrated annually on May 4.
Intended as a cheeky jab at political opponents, the post quickly drew widespread attention, but not for the reasons intended.
The image showed US President Donald Trump in flowing Jedi robes, dramatically bulked-up with exaggerated muscles, holding a red lightsabre. He stood flanked by bald eagles and American flags in a patriotic spectacle. The accompanying caption read: “Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well-known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy. You’re not the Rebellion—you’re the Empire. May the 4th be with you.”
While the post tried to frame Trump as a heroic defender of America, social media users were quick to point out a glaring irony: the red lightsabre. In the Star Wars universe, red sabres are traditionally wielded by Sith Lords like Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine—the villains Trump’s caption appeared to denounce. In contrast, Jedi, the saga’s heroes, typically use blue or green sabres. The unintended symbolism led many to argue that the image accidentally cast Trump in the role of a Sith, undermining the intended message.
This Star Wars-themed post follows another AI controversy just a day earlier, where the White House shared an image of Trump dressed as the Pope. The timing was particularly sensitive, coming just days after the death of Pope Francis on April 21. The image quickly drew widespread backlash, with critics accusing the administration of mockery and insensitivity. Many felt the post was in poor taste, especially given the ongoing mourning for the late Pope Francis.
