Trending Now - John Oliver and Buttigieg Critique Trump's Controversial Remarks
WHO:
Alternet - John Oliver, host of HBO's Last Week Tonight
HuffPost - Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
HuffPost - Pope Leo XIV, the current pope
HuffPost - Vice President JD Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.)
WHAT:
Alternet - John Oliver described Trump's recent Truth Social rant attacking Pope Leo XIV as "nonsensical" and compared it to saying a possum is "weak on Balkan geography."
HuffPost - Buttigieg stated, "he’s not a doctor, either!" in reference to Trump's claim about the AI-generated image depicting him as a doctor.
NBC News - Pope Leo XIV expressed a desire to end the feud with Trump, clarifying that not all his comments during his international trip were directed at the president.
Alternet - John Oliver criticized President Trump's recent controversies, including an AI-generated image depicting Trump as Jesus Christ and a feud with Pope Leo XIV.
HuffPost - Buttigieg remarked that Trump insulted Christians by depicting himself as the risen Lord and later claimed the image was meant to show him as a doctor.
HuffPost - Trump deleted the AI-generated image and later shared a different image showing Jesus embracing him with a U.S. flag-themed background.
WHERE:
HuffPost - Buttigieg made his remarks in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and spoke at a Democratic Party fundraiser in Kansas.
WHEN:
HuffPost - Buttigieg's speech in Tulsa included remarks about Trump's actions on April 19th, 2026, and he spoke at a Democratic Party fundraiser in Kansas on April 17th, 2026.
Alternet - The episode of Last Week Tonight featuring Oliver aired recently in April 2026.
HuffPost - Buttigieg's speech in Tulsa occurred on April 19th, 2026, and he spoke at the fundraiser in Kansas on April 17th, 2026.
WHY:
HuffPost - Buttigieg emphasized that God does not belong to a political party, addressing Vice President JD Vance's comments about the pope.
Alternet - Oliver suggested that Trump's recent actions indicate a loss of political power and invincibility.
HuffPost - Buttigieg indicated that Trump's actions were insulting to both faith and intelligence, particularly among conservative Christians.
HOW:
Alternet - Oliver used humor and comparisons to critique Trump's remarks and image.
HuffPost - Buttigieg addressed the audience directly, appealing to their shared values and experiences regarding faith and politics.
(UPDATED April 20, 2026 13:20 UTC)
In a recent speech, Buttigieg criticized Trump’s claim about an AI-generated image of him as a doctor, stating, "he’s not a doctor, either!" Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV expressed a desire to mend fences with Trump, clarifying that his comments during an international trip were not solely aimed at the president. Buttigieg also emphasized that God does not belong to a political party, responding to Vice President JD Vance's remarks about the pope.
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(UPDATED April 20, 2026 11:21 UTC)
John Oliver recently criticized Trump on HBO's Last Week on Monday for his controversial AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus and a feud with Pope Leo XIV, suggesting these actions reflect a decline in Trump's political power. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg remarked that Trump's portrayal of himself as the risen Lord was insulting to Christians and later spoke at a Democratic fundraiser in Kansas, emphasizing the impact of Trump's actions on faith and intelligence. Following the backlash, Trump deleted the controversial image and shared a different one showing Jesus embracing him against a U.S. flag-themed background.