Moments after Donald Trump made the shocking claim that he had something to do with the pope’s appointment, Pope Leo spoke at a press conference and threw some subtle shade that many suggest was directed at the U.S. President.
On May 11, ABC’s Martha Raddatz was speaking live from the Vatican for a roundtable discussion on This Week for Pope Leo XIV’s first Sunday blessing.
Joining Raddatz – the host of the show formerly hosted by George Stephanopoulos – was ABC News senior national correspondent Terry Moran.
“The question that we had was how much did the American moment with President Trump matter? They’re telling us not at all,” Moran said of the historic appointment – the first time an American has ever been chosen to lead the Catholic Church. “It was [Prevost] that mattered.”
“And that’s what we’ve been hearing this morning. It was him,” Raddatz replied of the Chicago-born Cardinal, Robert Prevost, who was selected as pope.
The suggestion that Donald Trump wasn’t a factor in the cardinal’s decision ruffled some feathers back at the White House.
Slams the media
Seemingly reacting to the roundtable discussion, Trump shared a bizarre post on Truth Social, where he first took a shot at Raddatz and ABC and then suggested he played a key role in Pope Leo XIV’s appointment.
“So funny to watch old timer Martha Raditz on ABC Fake News (the Slopadopolus show!) this morning, blurt out that, effectively, Pope Leo’s selection had nothing to do with Donald Trump,” he shared in the post shared hours after the pope’s first Sunday blessing from St. Peter’s Square.
“It came out of nowhere, but it was on her Trump Deranged Mind. Remember, I did WIN the Catholic Vote, by a lot! Bob Iger should do something about the losers and haters he’s got on his low rated shows. It’s time for change. MAGA!!!”
‘Deplorable’
Shocked by Trump’s claims, online users replied to his Truth Social post on X, one even calling his message “deplorable.”
