President Donald Trump sparked controversy after posting a message on Truth Social criticizing Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson while Johnson was attending a meeting at the Vatican with Pope Leo XIV.In his post, Trump called the mayor “useless” and suggested that someone should inform the pope of that opinion.He also abruptly added a statement about Iran and nuclear weapons, shifting the focus from local U.S.politics to international security concerns in a single remark.The post was signed with his full presidential title, reinforcing its official tone.

Mayor Johnson had shared photos of his Vatican visit on social media, describing the encounter with Pope Leo XIV as one of the most meaningful experiences of his life.He referred to the pontiff as a “magnificent human” and emphasized the honor of participating in a broader interfaith prayer gathering.According to Johnson’s office, the meeting was part of a larger religious and diplomatic event, and not a political summit.Trump was not present at the Vatican gathering.The incident gained attention because of the contrast between the spiritual setting of the papal meeting and Trump’s politically charged criticism.Analysts noted that Trump has frequently used social media to attack Democratic mayors of major U.S.cities, often framing urban governance as evidence of broader political failure.Johnson, for his part, has been critical of Trump-era immigration policies and federal funding decisions affecting cities.The episode highlights ongoing political tensions and the increasingly direct role of social media in high-profile political discourse.