Rep. Austin Scott rebukes Trump over controversial Easter post
Middle Georgia congressman publicly criticizes social media image as inappropriate
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- U.S. Rep. Austin Scott is speaking out after President Donald Trump posted an image on Easter Sunday that drew criticism online. Scott, who represents parts of Middle Georgia, addressed the post during a congressional committee meeting on Tuesday, calling it inappropriate.
Scott: ‘Not okay’
“The Easter Sunday post about annihilating a civilization is not okay,” Scott said. “Posting a picture portraying yourself as Jesus is not okay.”
Scott added that he would have preferred to raise the concern privately but said he felt it needed to be addressed publicly.
He also referenced religious teachings in his remarks, saying, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” and adding that “God will not be mocked.”
Rep. Scott’s full statement:
I wish I could say this in a private conversation, but I can’t, so I do want to say it.
The Easter Sunday post about annihilating a civilization is not okay. It’s not.
And posting a picture portraying yourself as Jesus is not okay.
And so I would just advise all of the people at the White House that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. If you read Proverbs, you would know that.
And Galatians will caution you that God will not be mocked.
President Donald Trump: “I did post it and I thought it was me as a doctor, and had to do with the Red Cross as a Red Cross worker there, which we support. And only the fake news could come up with that one. I just heard about it, and I said ‘how did they come up with that?’ It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better, and I do make people better. I make people a lot better.”
Trump responded to widespread criticism
Trump defended the image on Monday, saying it was misunderstood.
“I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor,” Trump said. “It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better.”
The image, generated using artificial intelligence, showed Trump glowing with his hand on what appeared to be a sick man.
The post was widely criticized, with some calling it blasphemous.
Trump later removed the image from social media. The White House has not said why.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he spoke with Trump about the post.
Johnson said Trump agreed the image was not being received as intended and removed it.
“That was the right thing to do,” Johnson said.
