When Power Dresses in Robes
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8
Over the weekend, Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope. The White House then reposted it, doubling down on the statement.
In any previous era, this would have been unthinkable—a political leader publicly depicting himself in papal vestments, co-opting religious symbolism for personal aggrandizement. In our current context, where reality is blurred by digital manipulation, and ego is often mistaken for leadership, it becomes not just a strange moment, but a revealing one.
This image—engineered and shared by the man who the highest office in the US—tells us something important. It shows us what he wants to be: the single, unquestioned authority, not only the most powerful political leader on earth, but a spiritual one, cloaked in divine right.
It’s not a joke. It’s a confession.
Trump’s AI papacy reveals a deeper ambition: to collapse the boundaries between politics and religious power, to sacralize control. He wants not only to rule—but to be revered.
To our Catholic siblings, this image was not only inappropriate—it was sacrilegious. The papacy, for all its flaws, is meant to be a spiritual office marked by humility and service. To overlay it with the persona of a man who revels in vengeance and dominance is a desecration.
To all of us—regardless of faith tradition—it is a warning.
Scripture has always cautioned us about leaders who exalt themselves. As the prophet Isaiah thundered, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil…who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight” (Isaiah 5:20–21). And Jesus himself warned, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them… Not so with you.” (Matthew 20:25–26)
Walter Brueggemann once said, “When religion is co-opted by empire, it ceases to be prophetic and becomes chaplaincy to the status quo.” That is what’s at stake here—not just a silly image, but the slow erosion of what is sacred. When power dresses in robes and claims God’s endorsement, history tells us we are in dangerous territory.
Let us not become numb to this kind of distortion.
Let us name it for what it is: the idolatry of ego, the manipulation of faith, the dangerous allure of divine power misused.
And then, let us turn again toward a truer vision—of leadership rooted in humility, of power exercised in service, and of faith that never bends to the will of Empire.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
How do I distinguish between true spiritual authority and false performances of power?
What emotions did I feel seeing Trump depicted as Pope? What do those feelings reveal?
In my own leadership—whether at home, work, or in community—do I seek reverence or relationship?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for Discernment in the Age of Spectacle
Holy Presence,
In a world of illusion and ego,
where power dresses in robes it has not earned,
give us eyes to see what is true.
When leaders confuse reverence with control,
humility with weakness,
and divinity with dominance,
teach us again the difference between spectacle and the sacred.
Ground us, not in fear,
but in fierce love—
a love that honors dignity, defends the vulnerable,
and speaks truth when silence feels easier.
May we follow not the loudest voice,
but the still, small one that calls us to justice,
mercy, and humility.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Reclaiming the Sacred
Today, find an object or image that holds sacred meaning for you. It could be a candle, a family heirloom, a prayer shawl, a photograph, a tree, or even a stone from a meaningful place. Hold it gently. Look at it slowly.
As you hold this object, ask yourself:
What does this symbolize for me?
What part of my values or spiritual life does it connect me to?
How do I want to live in alignment with what this represents?
Then imagine it being distorted—used to manipulate, to dominate, to sell or seduce. Let yourself feel the grief. And then—breathe.
Let this practice remind you of your power to protect what is sacred—not with aggression, but with clarity, courage, and care. Carry this object with you through the day if possible. Let it be a quiet protest against every attempt to hijack the holy for the sake of ego.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
May 19-22, 2025 - Preaching and Worship FREE Online Summit: From war to genocide to a global climate crisis to a nation that perpetuates racism, misogyny, transphobia, and more from the highest office in the land, how do we prepare a sermon, a liturgy, a song, a prayer? Learn from some of our best preachers. REGISTER HERE.
NEW!!! On June 4, 2025, from 7-8pm ET, Join Brian McLaren, Matthew Fox and me for an exploration of “Life After Doom” inspired by Brian’s latest book. In an age of climate crisis, political unraveling, and societal collapse, many are asking: What now? What’s worth doing when the systems around us are failing? How do we find meaning beyond hope as we’ve known it? Join us and we will explore together. Register here.
June 4, 2025, 12pm ET - Jeff Chu has written a new book on a topic close to my heart: Soil! The title is “Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand.” I am so pleased to be interviewing him. Together, we’ll explore what it means to cultivate “good soil” in our lives, our communities, and our spiritual practices. I hope you will register. Your registration includes a copy of his new book.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more.
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
Thank you for naming the truth. We are living in frightening times and we need to speak truth to power even if it costs us.
Thanks once again for speaking the truth as you do every day - with clarity and a vision of what might be and can be if we do not let this President control the agenda.