“He’s Freaking Out” – Trump’s Surprising Claim Sparks Outrage Over Pope’s Reaction
According to a report by Newsweek on Sunday, June 16, 2024, former President Donald Trump made the surprising claim that Pope Francis appeared visibly distressed during his recent interaction with President Joe Biden at the Group of Seven summit in Italy.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform to voice his controversial assertion, accompanied by a photo of the two leaders with their foreheads in close proximity, writing, “Look at the Pope—He’s freaking out! This can’t be normal, can it?” However, video footage of the encounter paints a starkly different picture, showing the pope warmly greeting Biden and other world leaders, with Francis smiling as Biden bent down to speak to him, their foreheads touching at one point.
Trump’s inflammatory remarks have sparked a firestorm of criticism, with many accusing the former president of deliberately misrepresenting the pope’s demeanor and attempting to sow division for political gain. Despite the apparent friendliness of the exchange, Biden’s meeting with Francis was marked by substantive discussions on pressing global issues, with the president thanking the pope for the Vatican’s efforts to address the humanitarian impacts of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Biden also reaffirmed his deep appreciation for Francis’ advocacy for the poor, those suffering from persecution, climate change, and conflict around the world, underscoring the close relationship between the two leaders. The president has previously spoken of his friendly rapport with the pope, telling reporters after their last meeting in 2021 that they discussed Francis’ happiness with Biden being a “good Catholic.”
Trump’s comments came shortly after he suggested that Biden, who is 81, should undergo a cognitive test, moments before confusing the name of the doctor who administered the test to him during his presidency. “He doesn’t even know what the word ‘inflation’ means. I think he should take a cognitive test like I did,” Trump said at the Turning Point Action convention in Detroit, before mistakenly referring to Representative Ronny Jackson as “Doc Ronny Johnson.”
Jackson, who was the White House physician during part of Trump’s presidency and is now a Republican congressman and one of Trump’s most ardent supporters, had previously praised Trump’s cognitive abilities, stating that he was “the healthiest president” he had ever encountered.
Trump’s criticism of Biden’s mental acuity on the campaign trail has been a recurring theme, with his supporters seizing upon any perceived gaffe or misstep as evidence of cognitive decline. However, Trump’s own gaffe regarding the doctor’s name has provided ammunition for his critics, with the Biden campaign swiftly posting the incident on social media, further fueling the debate over the mental fitness of both leaders.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s comments on the pope’s interaction with Biden has highlighted the ongoing political tensions between the two leaders and their respective parties, with each side seeking to cast doubt on the other’s competence and suitability for office. As the 2024 presidential campaign heats up, these exchanges are likely to continue, with both sides employing increasingly provocative rhetoric and seizing upon any perceived misstep or gaffe to undermine their opponent’s credibility.
However, it will be up to voters to navigate the rhetoric and accusations that are sure to dominate the campaign trail and to decide which candidate they believe is best equipped to lead the country in the years ahead.
