Trump AI Jesus Scandal is Crazier Than You Think
PDS Published 04/13/2026
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California Congressman Eric Swalwell has dropped out of the governor’s race following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
Several accusers have come forward with claims ranging from inappropriate messages to sexual assault. Swalwell has denied the allegations, calling them false, but said he is stepping aside to focus on defending himself.
The allegations are now under investigation, including by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Additional scrutiny has come from reports about employment issues involving a nanny.
Prominent Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi, called for Swalwell to suspend his campaign. Many former supporters have withdrawn endorsements.
His exit leaves the Democratic field wide open, with multiple candidates now competing ahead of the upcoming election. Meanwhile, Republican candidates are gaining traction in polling, raising the stakes for the race.
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The global energy crisis is already having major ripple effects, including in Ireland.
Protests have erupted across the country, led by farmers, truckers, and drivers hit hardest by rising fuel costs. Demonstrators used tractors and trucks to block major roads, ports, and fuel terminals. In some cases, they prevented tankers from accessing Ireland’s only oil refinery.
As a result, about a third of gas stations ran out of fuel, and officials warned that emergency services could be affected.
In response, the government announced €505 million in fuel tax cuts, postponed a planned carbon tax increase, and introduced subsidies for farmers and fisheries. This comes on top of €250 million in earlier relief measures.
Even so, many protesters say the response is not enough. Opposition parties have also criticized the government, and a vote of no confidence has been proposed.
The situation highlights how a conflict thousands of miles away can trigger economic and political instability in countries with no direct involvement.
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Trump recently attacked Pope Leo on social media, criticizing his positions on crime and foreign policy and claiming credit for his rise to the papacy.
Shortly afterward, Trump shared an AI-generated image depicting himself in a Christ-like form. The image sparked backlash across the political spectrum, including from some of his supporters, who called it inappropriate.
Trump later deleted the post but did not apologize. Instead, he claimed he believed the image depicted him as a doctor, not as Jesus, and dismissed criticism as “fake news.”
The controversy comes amid a broader conflict between Trump and the Pope, who has criticized U.S. policies on war and immigration. In response, Trump doubled down on his attacks, calling the Pope “liberal” and ineffective.
The Pope, for his part, responded by emphasizing the message of peace and the importance of speaking out against violence and injustice.
The situation has intensified debates about religion, politics, and the use of AI-generated imagery.
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Donald Trump is punishing Iran for refusing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by moving to effectively shut it down.
At the same time, Iran is threatening retaliation across the region, while the United States is considering launching new strikes. There’s also additional controversy unfolding, including the so-called “Trump Jesus” scandal.
This is all happening less than halfway through a two-week ceasefire that went into effect last week. The latest chaos follows the first in-person talks between the U.S. and Iran, which ended this weekend without a deal.
American and Iranian officials met in Islamabad, Pakistan—whose government has emerged as a key mediator. On the U.S. side were Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Iran was represented by its parliament speaker and foreign minister.
This marked the highest-level face-to-face meeting between the two countries since diplomatic relations were cut off after Iran’s 1979 revolution.
Even as negotiations were underway, Trump posted on social media that Iran “has no cards” and is “losing big.” He also suggested the U.S. was preparing to clear mines Iran allegedly placed in the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicated that American ships entered the waterway during the talks and destroyed an Iranian surveillance drone, while preparing for potential mine-clearing operations.
Some U.S. officials believe the Strait may remain restricted in part because Iran cannot locate or remove all the mines it deployed.
After nearly a full day of talks, no agreement was reached. Vance said discussions were substantive but ultimately unsuccessful, adding that this outcome was worse for Iran than for the United States.
A major sticking point was Iran’s refusal to make what the U.S. called an “affirmative commitment” not to pursue nuclear weapons or the capability to quickly build one. Trump similarly claimed that while many issues were discussed, the key issue—nuclear weapons—remained unresolved.
Iran, however, has long insisted its nuclear program is for civilian purposes, despite enriching uranium beyond typical civilian levels. U.S. intelligence assessments have also indicated Iran is not actively building a weapon.
Beyond nuclear concerns, other issues complicating a deal include Iran’s regional proxy groups and ongoing conflicts, particularly Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which is not covered by the ceasefire.
Iran has also demanded the release of billions in frozen assets.
Following the failed talks, Trump announced that the U.S. Navy would begin blockading ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, targeting vessels connected to Iranian oil exports. However, details of the plan shifted, with officials later clarifying that only ships tied to Iranian ports would be affected.
The goal is to weaken Iran’s economy by cutting off oil revenue. Some experts believe the strategy could have an impact, but not enough to force Iran back to negotiations without further military action.
Trump has reportedly considered additional strikes if the blockade fails, including targeting infrastructure. He has previously suggested the U.S. could devastate Iran’s infrastructure in a short period of time.
Meanwhile, Iran has warned that if its ports are threatened, no ports in the region will be safe.
Despite ongoing mediation efforts involving Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, the chances of a near-term agreement appear slim. While some still believe a deal is possible before the ceasefire expires, many uncertainties remain.
International support for Trump’s blockade is also limited. Several European countries have ruled out participating, with some officials criticizing the plan as unrealistic.
Experts warn that the blockade could worsen global economic conditions, particularly by driving up oil prices. The conflict is already contributing to rising fuel costs and increasing poverty risks worldwide.
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Hungary’s long-time leader Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat after 16 years in power.
His challenger, Péter Magyar, led a movement focused on combating corruption, restoring democratic institutions, and improving the economy. His victory sparked large celebrations across the country.
Magyar, a former member of Orbán’s party, positioned himself as a more moderate conservative alternative. His party secured a strong parliamentary majority, giving him significant power to implement reforms.
Orbán’s tenure had been marked by criticism over corruption, media control, and alignment with Russia. His defeat is seen as a major shift in Hungarian politics and potentially in broader European dynamics.
However, challenges remain. Orbán loyalists still hold key institutional positions, and structural reforms will take time.
The outcome has been welcomed by many European leaders, while also raising questions about future policy directions.
