Superman Trump image posted by White House sparks backlash amid Epstein controversy
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 12, 2025, 01:32 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Highlight of the story: The White House shared an AI image of Donald Trump as Superman. This post faced immediate backlash online. Many users questioned the timing. They linked it to the demand for Jeffrey Epstein's client list transparency. Critics called the image tone-deaf. Elon Musk's America Party also pushed for Epstein network details. The Department of Justice stated no complete client list exists.
A digitally altered image shared by the White House depicting President Donald Trump as Superman has ignited a wave of online criticism, with many questioning the post's timing and connection to broader political and social controversies.
On July 11, the White House posted an AI-generated image of Trump in Superman attire to its official X (formerly Twitter) account, captioned, “The symbol of hope. Truth. Justice. The American way. Superman Trump.” While the post appeared to be an attempt at humor or patriotic imagery, it immediately sparked backlash on social media platforms, with users calling it tone-deaf and inflammatory.
Critics quickly pointed to the ongoing public demand for transparency surrounding the late financier Jeffrey Epstein’s client list. “Truth? Where is the Epstein list? Justice? Where is justice for the victims?” one user commented. Another wrote, “If he believed in justice, the Epstein files would be public by now.”
The image was shared just as director James Gunn’s much-anticipated Superman reboot hit theaters, adding to the impression that the White House post was intentionally timed for maximum visibility. However, for many online, the image seemed to glorify a leader already embroiled in multiple investigations and political controversies.
Elon Musk, who recently launched the America Party, has vowed that his political movement would prioritize revealing the full scope of Epstein’s network. The renewed push for answers has put additional pressure on federal agencies, though the Department of Justice reiterated earlier this week that no complete client list exists. Officials also confirmed that Epstein died by suicide in a federal jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.
This is not the first time AI-generated images have been used by Trump or his team. In May, Trump posted an image of himself dressed as the Pope, which he later described as “just a joke.” Critics argue that the continued use of AI-generated images to promote Trump’s persona raises concerns about the manipulation of public perception in the digital age.
The White House has not responded to requests for comment regarding the Superman image or the criticisms linked to the Epstein files. As political tensions rise and social media continues to amplify public sentiment, the use of such imagery appears to be a growing—and increasingly polarizing—trend.
On July 11, the White House posted an AI-generated image of Trump in Superman attire to its official X (formerly Twitter) account, captioned, “The symbol of hope. Truth. Justice. The American way. Superman Trump.” While the post appeared to be an attempt at humor or patriotic imagery, it immediately sparked backlash on social media platforms, with users calling it tone-deaf and inflammatory.
Critics quickly pointed to the ongoing public demand for transparency surrounding the late financier Jeffrey Epstein’s client list. “Truth? Where is the Epstein list? Justice? Where is justice for the victims?” one user commented. Another wrote, “If he believed in justice, the Epstein files would be public by now.”
The image was shared just as director James Gunn’s much-anticipated Superman reboot hit theaters, adding to the impression that the White House post was intentionally timed for maximum visibility. However, for many online, the image seemed to glorify a leader already embroiled in multiple investigations and political controversies.
Elon Musk, who recently launched the America Party, has vowed that his political movement would prioritize revealing the full scope of Epstein’s network. The renewed push for answers has put additional pressure on federal agencies, though the Department of Justice reiterated earlier this week that no complete client list exists. Officials also confirmed that Epstein died by suicide in a federal jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.
This is not the first time AI-generated images have been used by Trump or his team. In May, Trump posted an image of himself dressed as the Pope, which he later described as “just a joke.” Critics argue that the continued use of AI-generated images to promote Trump’s persona raises concerns about the manipulation of public perception in the digital age.
The White House has not responded to requests for comment regarding the Superman image or the criticisms linked to the Epstein files. As political tensions rise and social media continues to amplify public sentiment, the use of such imagery appears to be a growing—and increasingly polarizing—trend.