Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) issued a public condemnation of President Donald Trump this week for sharing a digitally altered image joking about becoming the next pope, despite Lieu’s own documented support for groups that openly mock the Catholic faith.
As reported by The Western Journal, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, some on social media posted tongue-in-cheek suggestions that Trump should consider taking the role, noting the absence of term limits in the papacy.
Trump’s team joined in with light-hearted content, including AI-generated images of Trump in papal robes.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 3, 2025
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Lieu responded critically on X, formerly Twitter, writing, “As a Catholic, I take great offense to Donald Trump mocking Catholics. I wish Trump would focus on lowering prices instead. The American economy had negative GDP growth last quarter.”
As a Catholic, I take great offense to Donald Trump mocking Catholics.
I wish Trump would focus on lowering prices instead. The American economy had negative GDP growth last quarter. That’s what he should be focused on instead of making fun of Catholics. https://t.co/MLJB9ccW8t
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) May 3, 2025
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However, Lieu’s record shows support for events and groups that have ridiculed Catholic beliefs.
A resurfaced image shows Lieu posing with members of the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,” a San Francisco-based group known for parodies of Catholic religious figures, including drag performances dressed as nuns.
Interesting. That’s Ted Lieu there in the center with the maroon shirt. Were they not mocking Catholics Congressman? https://t.co/1eZDcbIMvc pic.twitter.com/Vp5xeqv918
— Soquel by the Creek (@SoquelCreek) May 4, 2025
The group made headlines this year for hosting events such as a “Hunky Jesus” contest and a “Virgin Mary Bikini” competition on Easter. One participant simulated a sexual act with a Trump doll while dressed as Jesus.
The contest’s winner, Wesley Walker, dressed in a Beyoncé-inspired outfit, used his platform to denounce “Christian nationalists,” stating, “If we were more like Jesus and less like Christian nationalists, our country wouldn’t be as [expletive] up as it is now.”
The bodies of Christ came out for stiff competition at the annual Easter Sunday Hunky Jesus Competition, with a Beyonce-inspired winner, and baby you can see his halo plus many of the other messier messiahs. https://t.co/ELPhNSSL5v
— SFist (@SFist) April 21, 2025
Another member of the group, “Sister Shalita Corndog,” claimed there is “a full-on movement to erase trans people” and equated the current climate to “hatred… at a level equal or worse than that of the Third Reich.”
Lieu has not condemned any of these actions. Instead, he has supported the group and defended its inclusion in public events.
In 2023, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were invited to a Pride event hosted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, an invitation that sparked national backlash from religious groups.
Critics have pointed out the contrast between Lieu’s outrage over Trump’s satirical image and his silence—or support—for public displays that intentionally mock core elements of Catholic doctrine.
The controversy also comes as Democrat-led states advance policies that clash with Catholic teachings.
In Washington state, legislation has been proposed requiring clergy to report confessions in certain cases, a move seen as violating the sanctity of the Catholic sacrament of confession.
Church leaders have warned that this could result in priests being forced to choose between violating religious doctrine or facing criminal penalties.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has yet to take disciplinary action against Lieu, who has publicly challenged the Church to deny him communion over his support for abortion and same-sex marriage—both of which contradict Catholic doctrine.
Lieu’s latest criticism of Trump has reignited debate over the sincerity and consistency of his religious positions, with some questioning whether his outrage is motivated more by political partisanship than genuine concern for the faith.
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